Careers after being a coin dealer?

MGLICKER · December 23, 2014 1:39AM

Anyone ever have a constructive career after hanging up the loupe and dipping tongs?

BillJones · December 23, 2014 1:43AM

Back in the 1980s there was a coin dealer from Maine, Norm Pullen, who left the coin business and starting dealing in model trains. He was quite a good coin dealer, but I don't know how he made out the model railroading business.

MGLICKER · December 23, 2014 1:51AM

<< Back in the 1980s there was a coin dealer from Maine, Norm Pullen, who left the coin business and starting dealing in model trains. He was quite a good coin dealer, but I don't know how he made out the model railroading business. >>

So his coin career got derailed?

Moldnut · December 23, 2014 1:53AM

Might do well as a gold miner.

ricko · December 23, 2014 1:55AM

Never tried being a coin dealer... would hate to sell any of my coins... I bought them because I like them....Cheers, RickO

ianrussell · December 23, 2014 1:56AM

Someone asked me recently what I would be doing if not coins. A good question that I didn't have a good answer for.

- Ian

CoinZip · December 23, 2014 1:58AM

Maybe we should ask Anaconda ???

roadrunner · December 23, 2014 2:00AM

PNG dealer and PCGS part-time grade Jay Miller left the business at the market peak in 1989-1990 after a career of around 15 years. He started off as a coin photographer with Jim Halperin's NERCG. He has been running Acoustic Innovations ever since which includes designing and installing over 2000 home and private theaters.

Acoustic Innovations

Dealer James Ruddy of Bowers and Ruddy left the business after 19yrs in 1977 to another career. Don't recall what that career was.

FredWeinberg · December 23, 2014 2:02AM

I've been a full-time coin dealer since I was 22 years old.

After about 5 years into it, I would be asked (and still are asked)
"What would you do if you weren't a coin dealer?"

I remember the first time I was asked that, and it made me
pause - because I loved doing what I was doing so much I never
had thought about that question, much less the answer!

My answer at the time, and it's still valid today, is:

" The only other thing I'm qualified to do is to go to Las Vegas and do Bob Dylan impressions, when he dies "

(Kinda like Elvis impersonators do there!)

So, that's my plan in 10-15 years.......

yellowkid · December 23, 2014 2:04AM

<< Back in the 1980s there was a coin dealer from Maine, Norm Pullen, who left the coin business and starting dealing in model trains. He was quite a good coin dealer, but I don't know how he made out the model railroading business. >>

Norm closed his train business a number of years ago and I haven't run into him in awhile. I think I bought my first coin from him in the early 70's, a Vermont commem. Norm did quite well in the coin business and I'm sure he is doing fine.

MGLICKER · December 23, 2014 2:05AM

<< " The only other thing I'm qualified to do is to go to Las Vegas and do Bob Dylan impressions, when he dies " >>

Ok Fred....now we need a video clip!!

FredWeinberg · December 23, 2014 2:05AM

Jay was a very good coin dealer, and a friend.

I think he left pretty much after Iraj and I bought
the Kruthoffer set of $10 Indians for $1.8 million
from him.

(just kidding Jay - it was 'good timing')

CaptHenway · December 23, 2014 2:07AM

ANACS Authenticator John Hunter left ANACS in 1979 to work for Silvertowne during the Hunt Brothers boom. Made enough money for his wife to quit her job and go to divinity school, which she always wanted to do, and after she was ordained and got a parish he left Silvertowne and became a health care worker, which he always wanted to do.

Unfortunately, both her church and their house down near the Gulf were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, so he went back to work for SIlvertowne to regroup. Don't know what they are doing now.

Broadstruck · December 23, 2014 2:12AM

<< Kruthoffer set of $10 Indians >>

Now that was a set of coins... Trivia wise it was also the first auction catalog which featured color photos.

CoinRaritiesOnline · December 23, 2014 2:23AM

At some point I'm going to be an architect.

Boosibri · December 23, 2014 2:27AM

I feel like if I was asked this question, I would say a coin dealer. Not sure if I would be any good.

I love the question and the responses from very respected dealer forum members.

LindeDad · December 23, 2014 2:52AM

Chances about the same as a ex-con. Good chance you will fall back into old habits.

Zoins · December 23, 2014 2:56AM

Don became President of PCGS

MrHalfDime · December 23, 2014 2:56AM

<< Back in the 1980s there was a coin dealer from Maine, Norm Pullen, who left the coin business and starting dealing in model trains. He was quite a good coin dealer, but I don't know how he made out the model railroading business. >>

"Norm closed his train business a number of years ago and I haven't run into him in awhile. I think I bought my first coin from him in the early 70's, a Vermont commem. Norm did quite well in the coin business and I'm sure he is doing fine."

Actually, Norm Pullen is still involved in both the coin business and the train business. Years ago he began a coin and jewelry business in South Portland, Maine, called 'Maine Gold & Silver', which is still in operation; although he maintains an ownership position he has others run it for him. His model train business, 'Norm's O Scale Trains', in Casco, Maine, is also an ongoing business. Norm was well known and widely respected for his numismatic knowledge and for his fair treatment of people. I once asked him why he didn't have a larger inventory of half dimes, and he replied "I don't like half dimes. They are too small, and I have big hands". Made sense to me.

johnny9434 · December 23, 2014 3:21AM

<< 

<< Back in the 1980s there was a coin dealer from Maine, Norm Pullen, who left the coin business and starting dealing in model trains. He was quite a good coin dealer, but I don't know how he made out the model railroading business. >>

So his coin career got derailed? >>

crash and burn r.r

BAJJERFAN · December 23, 2014 3:44AM

<< Maybe we should ask Anaconda ??? >>

Dairy farmer?

BAJJERFAN · December 23, 2014 3:46AM

<< Might do well as a gold miner.

>>

Or a panhandler!

shorecoll · December 23, 2014 5:53AM

I've never been a coin dealer, but if I was and someone asked that question I'd say I wanted to be a piano player in a brothel, since that would be such a giant step up...

[Apologies to those who already know, but that's the punchline from a really old joke]

jdimmick · December 23, 2014 6:58AM

a bum

SoCalBigMark · December 23, 2014 7:09AM

I know of at least Three high profile dealers who left it all behind and became mimes.

Sonorandesertrat · December 23, 2014 7:11AM

Kenneth Rendell left the numismatic business to become a (now prominent) dealer in antiquarian books/manuscripts/autographs.

Jinx86 · December 23, 2014 7:37AM

Left behind years of industrial factory work to be a coin dealer.

DollarAfterDollar · December 23, 2014 8:12AM

I am not a coin dealer but I'd think given their personality, work habits, ethics and inclination to study that most would either wind up working for someone else in the business or would alter their interests moving into some other collectable items. A few might make good authors as well.

ArizonaJack · December 23, 2014 8:32AM

After my stint as a wanna be coin dealer returned to my tool & die trade. Mom and dad always said to have a skilled trade. It has treated me very well.

georgiacop50 · December 23, 2014 8:40AM

Get you a six foot bong and strap yourself to it!

mrearlygold · December 23, 2014 8:42AM

A always wanted to be a philanthropist but I just haven't gotten the loot yet to pull it off

mrearlygold · December 23, 2014 8:43AM

<< Left behind years of industrial factory work to be a coin dealer. >>

Great!

Cameonut · December 23, 2014 9:04AM

I retired from a long and stressful career in the auto components industry. Shortly thereafter the Auto Task Force scrooge-ified my pension and benefits. (that's another story)

So I started selling coins at shows on a "for fun" basis. I believe it would be difficult to make that your sole source of income unless you deal in high $$ material, or product that flies out of the cases.

Between rounds of golf down here in Pinehurst, I also have fun doing energy assessments for businesses here in North Carolina.

So my story is more like I became a vest pocket "wannabe" coin dealer but quickly realized that was going to be only for fun.

Shamika · December 23, 2014 9:07AM

<< Back in the 1980s there was a coin dealer from Maine, Norm Pullen, who left the coin business and starting dealing in model trains. He was quite a good coin dealer, but I don't know how he made out the model railroading business. >>

Looks like he's SELLING JEWELRY.

DUIGUY · December 23, 2014 9:39AM

Where "YOU FIND YOURSELF".
Be found with patience.

puffer · December 23, 2014 9:41AM

The profession of coin dealer is extremely varied, many dealers are a little bit psychologist, historian, comedian, some one with a ton of street smarts, security officer, lawyer, wheeler-dealer, banker, psychic, as well as many other vocations and avocations. All that experience can come in invaluable later, the problem can be going back into the blue collar or extremely boring fields as usually there is too much to keep the mind busy in numismatics.

TwoSides2aCoin · December 23, 2014 9:49AM

I always said I was going to be a fireman when I grew up. Not sure I'll ever grow up. My friends want me to record music. My enemies want me to hang up the gloves.
At this juncture I don't care, with as many trades as I've worked in. The V.A. wants me to volunteer at the hospital. What would I volunteer for ? I did that twice for active service.

mdwoods · December 23, 2014 10:02AM

A lot of coin dealers find second careers. Just look for the bite marks on their necks.

kaz · December 23, 2014 10:29AM

You mean they become professional blood donors??

ctf_error_coins · December 23, 2014 10:44AM

Perhaps I did it in the wrong order

or maybe a professional poker player at some point in the future

Klif50 · December 23, 2014 11:36AM

I vaguely remember a coin dealer who left the coin business and started collecting and selling meteorites. Seems he sold them and made a whole lot of money. Not sure what he did after that.

MGLICKER · December 23, 2014 11:37AM

<< I vaguely remember a coin dealer who left the coin business and started collecting and selling meteorites. Seems he sold them and made a whole lot of money. Not sure what he did after that. >>

Mike Casper. Many successful careers for that fellow.

giorgio11 · December 23, 2014 11:09PM

<< I've never been a coin dealer, but if I was and someone asked that question I'd say I wanted to be a piano player in a brothel, since that would be such a giant step up...

[Apologies to those who already know, but that's the punchline from a really old joke] >>

When I was at Yale and told my parents I was switching my major from math to music, my Dad asked me, "What are you gonna do, be a piano player in some honky-tonk?"

True story. I wonder now if he had heard that same joke.

Best Regards,

George

Regulated · December 25, 2014 10:31AM

Vintage guitars keep calling to me.

SullivanNumismatics · December 26, 2014 1:11AM

<< Someone asked me recently what I would be doing if not coins. A good question that I didn't have a good answer for.

- Ian >>

That's about where I am at.

Having worked in the unusual job of doing PDR on hail damaged cars (that's pretty much the only other full-time job I've had), I can't really imagine doing anything besides coins. No 2nd career in my future if I have anything to do with it since I love coins and the coin business.

TwoSides2aCoin · December 26, 2014 10:59AM

The depth of the grave is only 6 feet. As long as I have 2 feet above ground, it's going to be fun, and that's life in any field.

coinkat · December 26, 2014 8:28PM

Undertaker

FullStrike · December 26, 2014 9:38PM

Sidewalk panhandler.

Oh the joy ! People give me Coins all day for absolutely free.

ColonelJessup · December 27, 2014 12:44AM

Toll booth collector . . .

astrorat · December 27, 2014 1:08AM

<< Toll booth collector . . .

>>

Right! Imagine how long his/her lines would be as he/she checks for varieties!

mrearlygold · December 28, 2014 6:10AM

I would also like to work in a Gelato factory

Careers after being a coin dealer?

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