The Major Dealers' Backgrounds/Education

Longacre

I know that a lot of the major dealers post on this board. I was just wondering what their backgrounds were in terms of education, or non-numismatic experience. For example, I know that some dealers are former attorneys or owned other businesses. Just curious because it would be interesting to know. Thanks.

bullseye

I'll bet half of the dealers are schooled in criminology!


Mike

Russ

An inordinate number are lawyers.

Russ, NCNE

poptopsRus

As one of the smaller dealers, I have a degree in Engineering and worked as an Engineer for 12 years before I quit to do coins full time. I made a lot more money working for somebody else but I much perfer working for myself dealing with great people such as yourselves.

wondercoin

Rutgers (NJ) College.
U. Maryland Law School.
Approx. 17 years representing Trade creditors and financial Institutions in complex Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Reorganization filed throughout the US and related collection work for these creditors.
Retired in 7/02 to "play" with coins (which I have been "playing" with since around age 7).


Wondercoin

scher

Im not a dealer ..very small collector guy..couldnt finish high school but got a g.e.d and took a couple of junior college class's..I sell tires and grow a few grapes and love dealing with a few of the well educated dealers though..
Bruce Scher

kieferscoins

What kind of grapes do you grow?

Cameron Kiefer

scher

Cabernet mostly for fun...but sell about 10 tons a yr. to a small winery..
bruce scher

EagleEye

If I wasn't a coin dealer, I don't know what I'd do. My computer programing training is way out of date, and I don't want to move to India anyway. One thing about the coin business, you CAN'T retire from it. (ask Brian Wagner about that). It's like Al Pachino in Godfather III, once you're in, you're in for life.

Pistareen

If I wasn't working in coins, I'd probably be a DJ or Promotions Director at some rock station somewhere ... just like before B+M hired me in 2000.

Of course now I'm utterly unemployable. Like Rick said, once you're in, you never leave. What other job can I have where I can work from home, dress as I please away from conventions, and spend my days writing and playing with coins?

My educational background: just a plain old undergrad degree from Virginia, where I double majored in history and religious studies but spent 30+ hours a week at a radio station.

John K.

nccoin

<< <i>I'll bet half of the dealers are schooled in criminology!


Mike >>


unfortunately, a few bad ones seem to give the dealers a bad rep.

JrGMan2004

Well, with the lawyers, they make a lot of money... so they can save their money for a while, and then retire and invest in inventory...

MrEureka

I majored in Economics with a minor in Tuborg Gold. (Actually, it was more like the other way around.) That was back in 78-82 and I was doing more coins than school. Didn't matter. The coin market taught me more in those four years than I could have ever learned in school.

coltgus

A couple of friends of mine were in college around 1979 and working part time in the coin business. Like Laura they quit college and went into coins full time and did very well at first. Like Rick says, once you're in, you're in. I don't think it has been any picnic. These are smart people who have questioned their choice of profession. Maiking a good living in the coin business ain't easy !

nwcs

<< <i>If I wasn't a coin dealer, I don't know what I'd do. My computer programing training is way out of date, and I don't want to move to India anyway. One thing about the coin business, you CAN'T retire from it. (ask Brian Wagner about that). It's like Al Pachino in Godfather III, once you're in, you're in for life. >>

So you're saying that when I get tired of software development I may be able to start a career in coins?!?!

wayneherndon

Not one of the majors but one of the lawyers. I have degrees in Accounting and Management from Texas A&M and a law degree from Harvard. I did practive law a few years before holding several real estate and aviation related positions.

WH

majorbigtime

Jonathan Kern of Lexington KY has a college degree in Numismatiics!

TheLiberator

I am curious: many lawyers seemed to have either never practiced or quit after a few years. What gives? Is it just no fun or is it hard to make it? Is it both?

FrattLaw

<< <i>many lawyers seemed to have either never practiced or quit after a few years. What gives? Is it just no fun or is it hard to make it? >>



There's a saying in law school -- those that can -- litigate, those that can't -- teach (or sell coins)

Actually I love being a lawyer, but it is a difficult job, not as in the "digging ditches in 110 degree heat" difficult, but there are a lot of stresses that come along with being a lawyer. Law school doesn't prepare you for that aspect of being a lawyer. There are a lot of people who go to law school either because its expected of them by parents or they were nerds who got great grades and someone somewhere once told them they argue well and should be a lawyer so they thought why not.

Most of those types of law school graduates eventually leave the field. It isn't easy to be successful at anything. And as I am sure as most here will agree, there is a glut of attorneys and competition is stiff.

And for the most part, lawyers don't get rich being lawyers. It pays well, but not that well. Most doctors and lawyers are comfortable. Most if not all of the dealers that post to this Board probably make 2-3 times what most lawyers make.

Now ask yourself why do most become coin dealers.



Michael

wondercoin

"am curious: many lawyers seemed to have either never practiced or quit after a few years. What gives? Is it just no fun or is it hard to make it? Is it both?"

In my case, 17 years was plenty of "quality time" as an Chapter 11 bankruptcy attorney. My career was chuck full of "bankruptcy litigation" - fighting in court every week does become a bit tiring after 17 years though.

Wondercoin.

kieferscoins

AA degree and then got into it full time after college.

Cameron Kiefer

mrearlygold

One thing about the coin business, you CAN'T retire from it. (ask Brian Wagner about that). It's like Al Pachino in Godfather III, once you're in, you're in for life. >>






If you try to retire, also remember pacino's line "just when I thought I was out they pull me back in"!

Dis is da life we choose

Tom

foodude

am curious: many lawyers seemed to have either never practiced or quit after a few years.

I practice law full time (work), teach law part time (fun), and play coin dealer part time (fun/relaxation).

Toningintheblood

A B.S. degree in Radio-TV/Journalism from Southern Illinois University. Spent some time in the radio industry as a DJ/newsman for a rock FM station in Michigan City, Indiana. Sold airtime/commercials during the day and had the late afternoon til sign-off shift on air. Enjoyed sales so much, quit the radio station and then sold industrial chemicals for 30 years, while always collecting coins for fun and profit. Decided to retire from the chemical industry and enjoy coins for a living. Starting my third year at Spectrum Numismatics in Irvine, CA. and hope to continue at it until I am ready to retire.

Dale Larsen
Spectrum Numismatics

puff

<< <i>A B.S. degree in Radio-TV/Journalism from Southern Illinois University. Spent some time in the radio industry as a DJ/newsman for a rock FM station in Michigan City, Indiana. Sold airtime/commercials during the day and had the late afternoon til sign-off shift on air. Enjoyed sales so much, quit the radio station and then sold industrial chemicals for 30 years, while always collecting coins for fun and profit. Decided to retire from the chemical industry and enjoy coins for a living. Starting my third year at Spectrum Numismatics in Irvine, CA. and hope to continue at it until I am ready to retire.

Dale Larsen
Spectrum Numismatics >>



I sure like that 1945 Walker in your set Dale.