Refocus - Coin dealer employee qualities . . . survey of needs

astrorat

Thank you for all of your public and private responses. But let me take a moment and refocus the question a bit. Let's go here:

When you hire a new staff numismatist, what specific numismatic qualities, training, education, experience, or talents do you view as essential?

While I do appreciate that honesty, integrity, "knowledge", patience, etc. are critical for any business, I am trying to generate a list of qualities specific to "new" professional numismatists. For example; grading, counterfeit detection, etc. and ancillary talents, such as marketing, finance, history, etc.

I think we can all agree that having a stupid, rude, and selfish thief on staff is not good, just like we can all agree that an honest, caring, smart, and business-focused person on staff is just grand. Now, let's get to some specifics . . .

Thanks, again.

Lane



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Original message

Hey folks-

I am in the early phases of working on a project, the details of which I am not at liberty to discuss at this time, where a key component will be to address issues surrounding the answer to the question below:

What qualities, training, education, experience, or talents are essential for new employees in a numismatic business?

I am looking for answers from the perspectives of both the veteran professional numismatist (i.e. the person who would hire such a new employee) as well as the seasoned collector (i.e. the experienced view from the other side of the counter). I am, however, truly interested in all forum members opinions.

I am testing the question using the forum as a focus group in order to better gage the future direction of the project. Please understand that I am NOT openning a numismatic business, do NOT work for a numismatic business, or consult for a numismatic business.

I am looking for serious, meaningful answers. Please feel free to PM me or send me an email (lane.brunner@mail.utexas.edu) with your response if you do not wish to respond to this thread.

Thank you in advance as I am sure I will receive some very useful information.

Lane

kieferscoins

This is interesting. I'll e-mail you some thoughts.

Cameron Kiefer

goose3

<< <i>the details of which I am not at liberty to discuss at this time >>



Kiefer, Obviously you didn't see this line so I thought I'd quote it for you.

JrGMan2004

I guess it does depend on the position, but certainly for a store employee, yes prior Numismatic knowledge is important... but the most important thing, IMHO, is like with any Sales job, they must have the personality for it. Customers aren't going to want to come back in to a shop, when they employees are rude, don't help you out, etc. etc. But on the otherhand, a customer will enjoy coming back, if the Salespeople are nice, courteous, etc. etc.

astrorat

<< <i>

<< <i>the details of which I am not at liberty to discuss at this time >>



Kiefer, Obviously you didn't see this line so I thought I'd quote it for you. >>



Thanks, Goose . . . I can't discuss the particulars.

Lane

AValde

Keep religion out of the coin collecting hobby.

msch1man

I agree with JrGMan...above all else, I think an employee that is going to have day to day front line contact with customers has to have good people skills. I'd take someone with less numismatic knowledge and better people skills over someone with less than adequate people skills but great numismatic knowledge. Obviously, finding someone with a combination of the two would be a plus.

goose3

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>the details of which I am not at liberty to discuss at this time >>



Kiefer, Obviously you didn't see this line so I thought I'd quote it for you. >>



Thanks, Goose . . . I can't discuss the particulars.

Lane >>




See that Kiefer. If you want to continue to rumble with me via PM, go right ahead. I'm off until sunday and can certainly stand a bit of humor in you trying to act like you have a set.

coinguy1

Pm sent.

GOLDGUY

It could be an interesting study. I might suggest that you narrow the scope of your survey. Are your questions focused on employees in general -- or just on those employees who trade with the numismatic community (collectors, investors and dealers)? I'd be happy to participate and assist but speaking for Pinnacle, two of the last three positions we've filled didn't require a numismatic background (computer/IT/graphics position and a full time shipping/receiving position).

kranky

It would be great if the responses were here (if possible), I'd be interested in seeing others' thoughts.

astrorat

Thanks Todd, I will try and clarify the direction I am seeking.

I am looking for the qualities and knowledge that are sought for a numismatist's position. In other words, you wish to hire a new numismatist, what are you looking for in that person?

The question is open-ended on purpose as to elicit a variety of responses. Thanks.

Lane

coinguy1

As per Kranky's reasonable request :

<< <i>Hi Lane, the answers can vary greatly, depending upon the company and their particular needs. Here are some possibilities, though, in no particular order of importance:

salesmanship ability and/or personality for the public and/or to do business with other dealers (even if the person knows little about coins)

sometimes a person only needs to be able to process coins for grading, submissions and on an inventory program for purchases and sales

someone who is trustworthy, having access to lots of value

some computer knowledge can help for website maintenance, etc.

ability to handle imaging of coins

someone who can think like a dealer and like a collector and can see both points of view

someone who is not opposed to a lot of travel

good organizational skills

Those are off the top of my head - feel free to let me know if you have specific questions.

Good luck.

sincerely,
Mark Feld >>

astrorat

<< <i>It would be great if the responses were here (if possible), I'd be interested in seeing others' thoughts. >>



Thanks and I agree that it would be valuable for all to review. I planned on waiting until I received a number of responses and then ask for permission (from each submitter) to use the information anonymously and create a summary of the responses.

Lane

kranky

Thanks for sharing, Mark. I was going to make some additional comments but I'll refrain in case it might derail astrorat's thread.

I do completely understand that some people may want to share their thoughts privately, and of course there's nothing wrong with that.

ms70

First and foremost they should've started out as a collector!

SportsModerator

Simple

Honesty and an attitude of working for the business, not for themselves.

cladking

From either side of the counter integrity is probably the most important attribute. Not only
does the employee have to be honest but he must also seem to be honest to the customers.
A generally positive attitude is usually beneficial in sales but isn't nearly as important in coin
sales as in other such jobs. Knowledge of coins isn't critical but most employers would want
the employee to be able to learn.

Attention to detail and care in doing the little jobs is more important in this business than most.

mrearlygold

Honesty, knowledge, and know how ( and when) to close.

If you don't know how to close you can fohgetabout it.

Tom

astrorat

Thank you for all of your public and private responses. But let me take a moment and refocus the question a bit. Let's go here:

When you hire a new staff numismatist, what specific numismatic qualities, training, education, experience, or talents do you view as essential?

While I do appreciate that honesty, integrity, "knowledge", patience, etc. are critical for any business, I am trying to generate a list of qualities specific to "new" professional numismatists. For example; grading, counterfeit detection, etc. and ancillary talents, such as marketing, finance, history, etc.

I think we can all agree that having a stupid, rude, and selfish thief on staff is not good, just like we can all agree that an honest, caring, smart, and business-focused person on staff is just grand. Now, let's get to some specifics . . .

Thanks, again.

Lane

Baley

If I were going to hire a staff numismatist, I'd say to him or her, "let's have a look at your collection, and please tell me about the coins"

astrorat

I like that one, Baley.

Lane

MrEureka

If the idea is to hire someone that already has an interest in numismatics, I'd focus on the obvious communication and technical skills.

If I was looking to cultivate non-numismatists to fill numismatic positions, I'd focus on people that have collected anything at all. Collectors are a special breed. They have a unique way of observing objects, categorizing them, and understanding them. They are also more likely to develop an appreciation of their product and enthusiasm for helping their clients build collections.

astrorat

ttt for the evening crew . . .

Lane

kieferscoins

Grading at a minimum set standards or better

slab services - pro's & cons, cracking, submitting etc.

general history of numismatics

counterfeit detection

descriptions of coins - without this (both verbal and written) it is hard to sell a coin

dealing with the public vs. another dealer - pricing and proper ettique

telemarketing and describing coins over the phone

internet - if you don't know something about the coin where do you go, who to ask etc

Coin photography - essential for any company

Knowing how to use the greysheet and when not to use it

researching coins ie. pedigree and populations

The best market for a certain coin....Heritage, eBay etc.

Basic conservation techniques

Cameron Kiefer

relayer

Ask...

Are you willing to stay at the table until the show closes?

MrEureka

The employee should have a familiarity with all areas of numismatics, the standard references in those fields, and the ability to use those references to attribute all types of numismatic material.

MrEureka

The employee should also be familiar with and be able to detect all forms of numismatic alteration, including state of the art doctoring techniques.

MrEureka

The employee should have a basic familiarity with the regulations and laws relevant to numismatic transactions.

MrEureka

The employee should be familiar with important collectors and collections, past and present.

MrEureka

The employee should be willing to locate to New York.

Good night!

MacCrimmon

<< <i> The employee should be willing to locate to New York. >>



You were doing good there for a minute!!

MrEureka

Oops. One more. The employee should have an understanding of minting and currency printing processes, past and present.

BaronVonBaugh

Now, why in the world would anybody in their right mind want to go anywhere near New York?

astrorat

Thanks Cameron and Andy for the nice lists.

Keep 'em coming, folks!

Lane

kieferscoins

I forgt about currency but Andy is right. A lot of people bring in currency and it goes hand in hand with paper money. Grading, authentication and knowing simple fakes like the Civil War era notes would be a big help.

Cameron Kiefer

astrorat

ttt for the Saturday crew . . . keep those great ideas coming!

Lane

MrEureka

The employee should be familiar with the history of the coin market, including historical prices, trends and cycles.

MrEureka

The employee should be familiar with the role TPG's play in the market, and be aware of the services' capabilities and limitations.

MrEureka

The employee should have a working understanding of numismatic web site design. He should also have the ability to design and work with computer inventory systems.

MrEureka

BTW, virtually anyone with all of the skills I'm describing can expect a six figure salary. And this is NOT rocket science.

sliderider

It is important to have good people in the collectibles business in general, not just coins. I remember a local sportscard dealer who used to hire teenagers to work in the store and although some of them had a lot of knowledge about current athletes, if you tried going back more than 5-10 years they would start to stumble. They were basically hired to operate the cash register while the boss was away and maybe do some sorting and cleaning up once in a while. They work cheap, but you really do get what you pay for.