“Those who can’t practice their trade become professors”—does the same hold true for graders/coin de

Longacre

Last night, I just started reading a book by Robert Reich about his years in the Clinton administration as Secretary of Labor. In the book, Reich mentions his background, and makes an interesting quote (which I have heard before). Regarding his (then) job as a professor at Harvard (before joining the administration), he says that people who have trouble practicing their trade (for example, economics), tend to become college professors. Reich felt that way about himself. I found that the same holds true for law professors—for the most part, they are too theoretical to effectively practice law under real life circumstances. The college/law professor world seems to be more genteel and insulated than the outside world.

Not all professional numismatists are cut out for the rough and tumble world of the coin bourse. Does anyone think that the professional numismatists who choose to become professional graders do so because they are not as effective in the outside world of coin dealing? In other words, is the choice to become a professional grader (and not “practice” coin dealing) based on the same theory that those who have trouble (or dislike) practicing law or economics become professors?

ctf_error_coins

Seems to be true in most trades. I know it is in mine.

There are also people who like to teach that have great skills.

Many with truly fantastic skills would rather practice their profession than teach.

Dentuck

"Those who can, do.

Those who can't, teach.

Those who can't teach, teach gym."


-- Woody Allen

garsmith

<< <i>"Those who can, do.

Those who can't, teach.

Those who can't teach, teach gym."


-- Woody Allen >>

bidask

doesn't hold true for physicians

ctf_error_coins

.

highbidder1970

IDK about that as a generalization. I have encountered individuals in numismatics I have wondered that about. IMO it takes a lot of money to become a coin dealer, not just business and grading skills.

And even with that upward market momentum (people hot to buy) and sellers offering you material at your price is needed like a good rain on a field of crops; otherwise the fixed overhead expenses of the coin business will eat you alive. Buying and Selling at Dealer Wholesale isn't going to cut it in this market.

renomedphys

I can think of a dealer who really isn't any good at either.

MidLifeCrisis

<< <i>"Those who can, do.

Those who can't, teach.

Those who can't teach, teach gym."


-- Woody Allen >>


I've been a military and law enforcement instructor since 1992.

But I can't teach gym.

Walmann

"Those who can, do.

Those who can't, teach.

Those who can't teach, teach gym."


-- Woody Allen


That logic would lead to all gym teachers looking like: