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What makes a person a numismatist?
CoinHusker
Posts: 5,033 ✭✭✭
I know when kid's get involved with the hobby they are called a "young numismatist".
But what makes a person involved in this hobby a numismatist compared to say, a hobbyist or a collector and if there is a distinction, when do you "cross that line" from one level to another? Does the distinction have have something to do with using your numismatic knowledge to advance the hobby compared to using it to only advance your collection? Or are we all like YN's, "numismatists" just older with different budgets?
So, how would you define a collector?
How would you define a hobbyist?
How would you define a numismatist?
And which are you?
But what makes a person involved in this hobby a numismatist compared to say, a hobbyist or a collector and if there is a distinction, when do you "cross that line" from one level to another? Does the distinction have have something to do with using your numismatic knowledge to advance the hobby compared to using it to only advance your collection? Or are we all like YN's, "numismatists" just older with different budgets?
So, how would you define a collector?
How would you define a hobbyist?
How would you define a numismatist?
And which are you?
Collecting coins, medals and currency featuring "The Sower"
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Comments
"if there was ever a time in you life that you read Playboy"?
Ricko's definition seems pretty good to me.....
<< <i>As far as hobbyist goes... >>
For a "hobbyist" I was thinking more along the lines of the folks who love the social aspects of the hobby. The people who may not have great collections or numismatic knowledge but help keep shows, periodicals, clubs, etc. afloat. Groupies?
Someone who is a "collector" but not really a numismatist is, to me, someone who just accumulates coins -- sometimes perhaps with a strong purpose, but not particularly interested in the academic aspects of studying and enjoying coinage.
You're probably a numismatist.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
A hobbiest is a person that has a mental problem and must keep busy doing stuff, any stuff and as much as possible. That's me. The collector is the worst. Sort of like a crow that accumulates stuff and has no idea of what it is, what to do with it, where to put it, etc.
Numismatist = Someone who studies the history of coins
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I'm not real good at any one of them in particular, but I try
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>Can I be a hobbyist, a collector, a numismatist and a humorist at the same time ? >>
Sounds like you want to be Will Rogers Joe. He never met a man he didn't like, kind of like you. Can you spin a rope and jump through the hoop?
BTW, When are you going to choose a title?
<< <i>I do not believe you have to collect coins to be a numismatist. Being a numismatist has more to do with coin knowledge than coin ownership.
<< <i>what makes a person involved in this hobby a numismatist compared to say, a hobbyist or a collector and if there is a distinction, when do you "cross that line" from one level to another? How would you define a numismatist? And which are you?
As soon as I am able to pronounce numismatist I will know what it is.
<< <i>I do not believe you have to collect coins to be a numismatist. Being a numismatist has more to do with coin knowledge than coin ownership. >>
Walter Breen was a perfect example of a numismatist that was not a coin collector. He had a coin collection when he was young that was stolen. After that, he only collected coin knowledge.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Does that mean the opposite can be true as well?
From PCGS Lingo page
<< <i>
numismatics
The science of money; coins, paper money, tokens, inscribed bars, and all related items are included.
numismatist
One who studies or collects money or substitutes thereof. >>
From dictionary.reference.com:
<< <i>American Heritage Dictionary:
nu·mis·mat·ics (nōō'mĭz-māt'ĭks, -mĭs-, nyōō'-) Pronunciation Key
n. (used with a sing. verb) The study or collection of money, coins, and often medals. >>
<< <i>Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
nu·mis·ma·tist /nuˈmɪzmətɪst, -ˈmɪs-, nyu-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[noo-miz-muh-tist, -mis-, nyoo-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. a specialist in numismatics.
2. a person who collects numismatic items, esp. coins.
[Origin: 1790–1800; < L numismat- (s. of numisma) coin + -ist]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. >>
<< <i>Thanks Fats! I think I found what I was looking for.
Does that mean the opposite can be true as well? >>
Yes. Best example are the folks collecting state quarters to fill holes in an album.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>To me a numismatist is a collector *and* a student of coinage. A numismatist doesn't just collect, he/she also studies coinage, history of coinage, how to evaluate a coin's quality and perhaps specialized numismatics also study die varieties and such. These are often people who enjoy not only coins but also educational literature about coins and related history.
Someone who is a "collector" but not really a numismatist is, to me, someone who just accumulates coins -- sometimes perhaps with a strong purpose, but not particularly interested in the academic aspects of studying and enjoying coinage. >>
My wife told them I was a numismatist. I said I wasn't. I read, study even, read, hold, watch, read, attempt to grade, read some more, bought a lot, sold some, read, seem to get a book a month or so (older and newer publications), go to the shows, then read some more. I am nowhere near the knowledge, grading talents and most importantly the experiences of many of you however, and those whose names make it into the publications. I feel as if I would be misusing the title if I were to consider myself one. There is no test (that I know of) or degree to hang, but when I am one I'll need to know I learned it and earned it.
Not to sound so serious about it - I'll be a NITwit (Numismatist-in-Training wit' (good intentions)) until that time comes.
My Odds&Ends eBay Stuff to fuel my coin habit (No Coins)
<< <i>To me a numismatist is a collector *and* a student of coinage. A numismatist doesn't just collect, he/she also studies coinage, history of coinage, how to evaluate a coin's quality and perhaps specialized numismatics also study die varieties and such. These are often people who enjoy not only coins but also educational literature about coins and related history.
Someone who is a "collector" but not really a numismatist is, to me, someone who just accumulates coins -- sometimes perhaps with a strong purpose, but not particularly interested in the academic aspects of studying and enjoying coinage. >>
I agree with you. A numismatist is not only a collector, but is differentiated from a collector by the study of coins, or "numismatics".
That said, I'm clearly a numismatist and proud of it
Dennis
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<< <i>So, how would you define a collector?
How would you define a hobbyist?
How would you define a numismatist?
And which are you?
I would define a "collector" as someone who collects with a purpose, as opposed to a "hoarder".
I would define a "hobbyist" as someone who considers coin collecting a pleasant pastime, and a means of relaxation.
I believe a "numismatist" is someone who devotes serious study to aspects that pertain to his/her area of interest.
I suppose I could be classified as any of the above, but I usually refere to myself as a "hobbyist".
Forbid it, Almighty God!
I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!
~PATRICK HENRY~
nu·mis·mat·ics (nôô'mĭz-mât'ĭks, -mĭs-, nyôô'-) Pronunciation Key
n. (used with a sing. verb) The study or collection of money, coins, and often medals.
nu·mis'ma·tist (nôô-mĭz'mə-tĭst, -mĭs'-, nyôô-) n.
noun
a collector and student of money (and coins in particular)
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
">"http://www.cashcrate.com/5663377"
numismatist.........coin collector
philatelist.............stamp collector
I get the 'The Numismatist' and I read it from end to end, well, except for a lot of the ad's 'cause the print is way to small even with my reading glasses on and find a lot of it really interesting. Plus I read some other coin related historical books (not stuff like 'How to make a ton of money trading coins with no cash outlay' or anything like that) occasionally when I get one but I am not in anyway a serious student of coinage and by that I mean devoting many hours to studying coins in detail. 2 small kids, a house that is slowly falling down around me, a need for 8 hours of sleep, etc. prevent the many quiet hours I would need to really get into it. I guess I would have to label myself a serious hobbyist with a heightened curiosity concerning the history of coins and money with aspirations to become a serious Numismatist some day. Never really thought about it too much...
K
edited for content...always something!
I know a long tiem and respected coin dealer. He knows how to grade and price coins, but has never colelcted them nor has any interest in studying them beyond the business end of things. That person is not necessarily a numismatist.
Another person may have little disposable income to actually buy coins. He goes to shows and looks at many and seeks out particular ones. Spends a lot of time in auction house archives studying past lots of interesting coins. Converses extensively on niche specialty topics within the hobby with novices and experts alike. That person is absolutely a numismatitist. He might collect photos of dream coins and never own a single one, though that would be a shame, but still merit the label.
It's not about your collection or the coins you have had in the past. It's not about your coin budget nor about the list of dealers who represent you in auctions. Being a numismatist, despite technical etymology and dictionary citations, is entirely about a dedication to the study of coins and coinage.
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<< <i>Well I just gave a speech on a "Brief history of the US coin" for a college class. I think that makes me a numismatist. Or a nerd. Either way I'm happy >>