Doctors and coins. Not coin Doctors.

coinmanic

I know that we have several esteemed physicians on the board. As a group are they more inclined to collect coins than the rest of the population?

If so, why?

fcloud

They do have more disposable income than people like me. LOL

coinmanic

<< <i>They do have more disposable income than people like me. LOL >>



I figured that that aspect would come up, but one can collect on a very limited budget.

2manycoins2fewfunds

I believe it is because doctors are known for being poor investors.












P.S.......................I'm an oncologist

drddm

I tend to think I collect on a limited budget, then again, my budget may be different than someone else's.

I am sure that there are plenty of other doctors out there who collect coins, however, the only other doctors besides myself I know that collect are those whom I met here on the boards.

70md

I agree most doctors scoff at coin collecting. I've made my share of mistakes doing it to date.

adidas414

I figure now would be as good a time as any to make my first post. Been reading these forums since 2006 and spend way too much time per week coming here.

None of my colleagues collect coins, although I have had one or two ask me about them in terms of investments. I've been collecting since the 8th grade, so I don't think its much to do with disposable income, rather just general interest.

My personal interests are $50 platinum proof eagles, and a 7070 which is about 85% full (mostly bought from Northeast Numismatics, Harlan J Berk, Dick Osburn, and Charmy the Penny Lady) all due to things I learned on this forum. Currently also trying to work on a box of 20 of which I have two pcgs ms 65 commemoratives (hawaii and pan pac).

I think this is a great group and hopefully I will be able to impart some knowledge rather than just receiving one day.

kaz

Welcome to the forum, it looks like you are building your collection carefully and slowly. Not too many of my local fellow physicians collect coins, I'm in primary care and thus don't have as much extra income as other specialities, but I like to pick up attractive coins if the price is right.
Dr. Eugene Bruder, a dentist and top-notch coin dealer, told me that dentistry and numismatics both appealed to his interest in fine visual detail. This might explain, in part, why at least 2 of the prominent members of the forum are radiologists.

sweetwilliet

I started collecting coins around age 8 or 9, long before I thought of becoming a physician. I am an ophthalmologist, and my brother is a dentist who also collects coins (on this board as well). I do have more disposable income now than years prior, but when I restarted after a long hiatus, I had very little if any extra cash (during residency, you get paid close to minimum wage for the hours that you work). I can't pinpoint exactly what it is about numismatics that brought me back, but part of it is purely for enjoyment. It is true that doctors, in general, are not good at investing. I think there is something true about attention to fine detail, as said above, as well.

Greeniejr

Working is the coin business is a heck of a way to earn a living while my wife accumulates debt to become a doctor (note she HATES coins)

lkenefic

How about PhD's on the forum too? I know at least a few on this forum... "trust us... we're doctors...

notwilight

I believe the obsessive compulsive nature that leads to collecting is also good for med school. --Jerry

Walmann

Stethoscopes aren't the only cold metal they like to feel against flesh.

coinmanic

<< <i>How about PhD's on the forum too? I know at least a few on this forum... "trust us... we're doctors... >>



The PhD's are of course welcome in this discussion. As I recall, Philosophers were the first to use the title of Doctor.

Bochiman

It's not so much the doctors to watch our for but rather those pesky radiologists
We have a few of them on the board too

lcoopie

I don't think so,
after all we have a rather large percentage
of Navy meteorologists and nuclear technicians
as well.

cladking

<< <i>I don't think so,
after all we have a rather large percentage
of Navy meteorologists and nuclear technicians
as well. >>



The number of submariners here borders on the eerie. Doctors and lawyers
may be overrepresented but there'd be a 100 posts a minute if every profession
were as well represented as the navy.

...Mebbe it's all these welcome aboard's.

RYK

One of my anesthesia colleagues collects AGEs and GBs, which he purchases from the US Mint. One of my former partners was collecting type coins and commems in the $50-1000 range.

I tried to convert one of my other partners, who is a good friend. He bought two Dahlonega $5's from Doug Winter (including an 1838-D $5) about five years ago, a roll of British sovs and French roosters with me, and then stopped. He still has all of these.

InYHWHWeTrust

obsessive-compulsive traits may be one aspect

Don
(family practice)

DrPete

There is a lot to collecting coins that attracts people of many walks of life, including physicians. Some noteworthy celebrities and Kings have also collected.

I once gave an informative speech in 8th grade at Raytown Jr. High School in Raytown, MO and it was entitled, "Coin Collecting, the King of Hobbies, the Hobby of Kings." I don't remember where I stole that title from, but my teacher liked my speech enough that she asked for a hard copy to be put in the files for future reference for other students. I used to hate the deadlines and giving speeches on topics I didn't care about. This one was different, though.

It makes sense that some physicians collect coins, but most do not. The hobby aspect is most appealing to me. I love to read and learn about the coins I collect and gain insight into their history. I started collecting about age 9-10 and when in med school and residency set it aside until I had more time, and more money.

Boom

<< I know that we have several esteemed physicians on the board. As a group are they more inclined to collect coins than the rest of the population?

If so, why? >>

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Good Morning Glick.

Astute observation and good question BTW.

In response to your 1st question, it's been my experience that "collectors" come from all walks of Life.

As such I cannot offer an opinion for the 2nd question.

I've gone through grade school and High school with many guys that have gone on to be great Doctors,
from GPs to Dentists to Neurosurgeons, Nephrologists, Urologists and beyond. Outside their offices & the
Hospitals they're just regular guys that enjoy hobbies of all sorts, just like everyone else.

Some are passionate for Golf, others like to fish & hunt, some like the finer things in life - some love coins.

While it is true that many of my best, private customers have been "men of means", I don't feel Doctors
make up the overwhelming majority of all collectors. Most DO like Quality however & will not hesitate to buy
and obtain exactly what they are looking for.

Hope this helps.

fiveNdime

id guess that most Dr's started collecting coins from those removed from kids orifices.


"im not a dr., but i play one on TV"

jhdfla

<< <i>id guess that most Dr's started collecting coins from those removed from kids orifices.

<< <i>


Messy business...

SanctionII

I am a "JurisDoctor" [real estate lawyer].

Does that qualify me to post to this thread?

If not, just ignore me.

I have had doctors as clients and have sued doctors in connection with real estate investments gone bad. I have seen some doctors invest substantial money in real estate investments that were doomed to failure from day one. Mostly they placed money with someone they thought they could trust, who turned out to be a crook. Some invested based upon their own decisions [many of which were just head scratchingly horrible]. These bad investments made me wonder how doctors could make such bad investment decisions.

Then as I became a little wiser, I realized that there are also doctors who investment money in real estate and do very, very well. Of course, I do not see the investments that turn our great. Real estate investors only need lawyers when investments turn sour, thus I only see the bad deals, many times only after they blow up.

Lawyers can also be terrible investors. Many lawyers are very, very, very conservative when investing since their daily experience is seeing situations where everything has turned out terribly and people who have suffered greatly get involved in lawsuits which many times only makes their suffering worse. Being sensitized to the bad stuff that can happen often makes lawyers gun shy with their own money.

Investor clients of mine shake their head when I decline investment opportunity, since they do not appreciate the risk of loss that is present [or if they do appreciate the risk of loss, they play a numbers game where out of every 20 deals, one results in a loss and the other 19 result in a profit].

I do not know any doctors who colect coins. If any doctor/collectors here on the forums live in the SF Bay area, send me a PM and introduce yourself.