Do you consider yourself a professional numismatist?

jmcu12

Someone asked me the other day what my profession is. I told them that while I work at a bank my true profession is that of numismatics.

What do you think? Who out there would/have responded in the same fashion?


Edited to say that I know there are dealers/graders/etc out there but I am asking you to think beyond even that occupation. I know some dealers that dont collect or study coins so if I were to ask them what their profession is they very well might say something other than numismatics.

RichR

<<Do you consider yourself a professional numismatist?>>

Only when I'm buying from another dealer. For some reason, when I'm selling, I'm told that nothing is actually the same grade or worth what I paid for it...

DennisH

Not in the least.
I'm an enthusiastic collector with a wife who is much too understanding.

nwcoast

Nope,
It's just a hobby and I've got a day job......
I think the guy in one of the local coin shops has got the greatest job in the world though.....It's a delusional pipe dream I'm sure.......

coindeuce

Professional pauper-serf numismatist.

Unknown

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bronzemat

I consider myself intermediate, especially with ancients.

johnny9434

no, not in the least bit. its just a hobby but i wont take a beating either

renomedphys

Professional to me implies that you are supporting yourself and perhaps a family with your income, so no.

I might be inclined to believe that my expertise in certain areas of numismatics puts me at least on par with professionals, in those areas.

And some years have been very good to me, profit-wise, but all that seems to be doing lately is balancing the scales.

LindeDad

No way I learn something new about coin collecting almost every day.

Nickcap

I am a newb or noob or newbie coin collector. While I have collected for years, I don't know anything.

I am hoping to get adopted by one of the richer numismatists on this forum. But slim chance getting adopted being 33ish. Maybe LindeDad will adopt me.

DorkGirl

No......

amwldcoin

<< <i>No way I learn something new about coin collecting almost every day.
>>



That's the answer to this question! Are you an expert?

jmcu12

<< <i>Professional to me implies that you are supporting yourself and perhaps a family with your income >>



Good point; I guess it depends on your definition. I cannot support myself financially but, at least for me, it is the one thing I am pretty good at. You can be a professional model car builder but not be able to do it as your job.

If I could guarantee myself health insurance and other benefits I could see myself branching out into being a dealer...its my 'winning the lottery' pie in the sky dream.

coinsarefun

I would probably say that I am a prolific numismatist, rather than professional

Horder maybe?.........ahhhh, professional prolific numismatist

BryceM

I'm a solid newbie numismatist with knowledge advancing toward intermediate in certain areas.

Timbuk3

Just a hobby !!!

tradedollarnut

No, even tho I've done quite well

Buzzybest

Not until I can consistently pronounce it correctly in polite conversations!

MidLifeCrisis

Please define the term "professional numismatist".

Sonorandesertrat

No, I am just a dilletante.

Mission16

No, I don't.
The word "professional" connotes that someone makes a living from that profession. Like a lawyer or a doctor or a banker. So no, my buying and selling is not my primary support. I'm GOOD at it in my small way but it is in no way a profession.

RYK

Anything but...

TwoSides2aCoin

I'm more like an amateur coin geek who prefers playing the guitar over metal roofing, now that the kids are gone.

Cougar1978

While my coin business is an income source it is not the only one. Beyond that I don't worry about labels. I have a graduate degree and work in financial but have no desire to go around coin shows promoting myself as some numismatic professional except maintaining proper professionalism and courtesy with other dealers and customers. While I consider my skills in the business as good or better than most my idea of a successful show is having fun and achieving my show goals of acquisition, sales, and ROI.

I enjoy coins but am in the business to get a decent return on my inventory. I am not a long term holder of coins except maintaining a certain inventory level or bullion position. When sales slow, so does buying unless there is a deal worth acquiring then flipping. A strong cash position is critical in the business and one needs to maintain self control in avoiding being inventory rich and cash poor.

PerryHall

<< <i>For some reason, when I'm selling, I'm told that nothing is actually the same grade or worth what I paid for it... >>



This is why collectors have made PCGS and NGC so popular and so successful.

Mission16

<< <i>Please define the term "professional numismatist". >>




participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs

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MidLifeCrisis

<< <i>

<< <i>Please define the term "professional numismatist". >>




participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs >>


In that case, no...not even a little bit.

SamByrd

no

Swampboy

amateur numismatist

LeeBone

Nope, just a collector

CEOcoinshopcom

Ok... I'll bite....... yes.


But would like to add caveat. Numismatist is a term (like Doctor) if you are a doctor, you are a doctor. A brain surgeon, might not be very qualified to deliver babies, and visa-versa.

So being a Numismatist, doesn't make you an expert in the entire field.

My only job is working with coins (no "day job"). This is my day job, night job, weekend job... 100 hour a week job.

Cocoinut

At one time, yes (for about 4 years), but not any longer; just an avid collector.

Jim

TahoeDale

Some self introspection is needed..........

I collect coins, some paper money, a few tokens, but never any medals. I have not written, and my research is limited to provenance and pricing.
I am no longer employed in any business or trade, and buying and selling rare classic coins are my only productive endeavor. I am certainly not
an expert in grading coins, and my only training is over 20 years looking and learning.

So, I would call myself semi-pro. A pro, IMO, would need to write, research, buy,or sell on a full time basis.

lunytune2

Yes , because the 2nd definition is one who collects coins


http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/numismatist

ThePennyLady

The only thing I'm a professional at is "pinching pennies"!