Average IQ of Coin Dealers - What Do You Think? Poll

poorguy · November 21, 2006 2:06AM

What do you think the average IQ of a coin dealer roughly is?

I would assume that experienced catalogers and researchers would have a more meticulous nature and therefore have slightly higher IQ's.

Also, do you believe that the higher the IQ the more successful the coin dealer?

Who are the smartest guys/gals in the business?

Please state your thoughts.

Barndog · November 21, 2006 2:12AM

what's the average IQ of Jane & John Doe? That's likely where coin dealers are too...no different from the average American insofar as IQ is concerned. Intelligence is not directly proportional to success at any occupation -- it can contribute, but it also can be detrimental to success if not properly employed.

jayboxx · November 21, 2006 2:14AM

What Barndog said.

cladking · November 21, 2006 2:17AM

112.

They're a very sharp bunch. Collectors tend to be pretty sharp as well.

relicsncoins · November 21, 2006 2:21AM

I would imagine, considering the small profit margins in coin dealing that if you were too much of a dolt you wouldn't be a coin dealer very long.

JJ

poorguy · November 21, 2006 2:23AM

Has anyone taken the Mensa IQ test? I did about 2 years ago. They used to have a version online but I don't think it's there anymore.

Here is a comparison of IQ's with cooresponding common possessors.

85 - 114 Average Pupils at junior high school
115 - 124 Above average Pupils at senior high school
125 - 134 Gifted University graduates
135 - 144 Highly gifted Intellectuals
145 - 154 Genius Professors
155 - 164 Genius Nobel Prize Winners
165 - 179 High genius
180 - 200 Highest genius
>200 "Unmeasurable" genius

Famous Geniuses:

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Germany Poet/Writer. Universal genius.** 210 179
Emanuel Swedenborg Sweden Religious writer. Universal genius. 205 176
Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz Germany Philosopher/Mathematician, etc. The greatest universal genius together with Leonardo da Vinci.** 205 176
John Stuart Mill England Philosopher/Economist/Political theorist 200 174
Blaise Pascal France Mathematician/Physicist/Religious thinker 195 171
Ludwig Wittgenstein Austria Philosopher - 190
Bobby Fischer U.S.A. Chess player 187 167
Galileo Galilei Italy Physicist/Astronomer/Philosopher 185 165
René Descartes France Philosopher/Mathematician 180 162
Madame De Stael France Woman of letters/Novelist/Political Philosopher 180 162
Immanuel Kant Germany Philosopher 175 159
Linus Carl Pauling U.S.A. Chemist - Double Nobel Prize Winner 170 156
Sofia Kovalevskaya Russia/Sweden Mathematician/Writer 170 156
Thomas Chatterton England Poet/Writer 170 156
Charles Darwin England Naturalist 165 153
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Austria Composer 165 153
George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) England Writer - Close friend to J.S. Mill. 160 150
Nicolaus Copernicus Poland Cleric/Astronomer 160 150
Olof Palme Sweden Prime Minister (Murdered) - 156
Rembrandt van Rijn Holland Painter/Etcher 155 146
Anna Lindh Sweden Foreign Minister (Murdered) 152 145
George Sand (Aurore Dupin) France Writer 150 143

techeff · November 21, 2006 2:25AM

Famous Geniuses:

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Germany Poet/Writer. Universal genius.** 210 179
Emanuel Swedenborg Sweden Religious writer. Universal genius. 205 176
Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz Germany Philosopher/Mathematician, etc. The greatest universal genius together with Leonardo da Vinci.** 205 176
John Stuart Mill England Philosopher/Economist/Political theorist 200 174
Blaise Pascal France Mathematician/Physicist/Religious thinker 195 171
Ludwig Wittgenstein Austria Philosopher - 190
Bobby Fischer U.S.A. Chess player 187 167
Galileo Galilei Italy Physicist/Astronomer/Philosopher 185 165
René Descartes France Philosopher/Mathematician 180 162
Madame De Stael France Woman of letters/Novelist/Political Philosopher 180 162
Immanuel Kant Germany Philosopher 175 159
Linus Carl Pauling U.S.A. Chemist - Double Nobel Prize Winner 170 156
Sofia Kovalevskaya Russia/Sweden Mathematician/Writer 170 156
Thomas Chatterton England Poet/Writer 170 156
Charles Darwin England Naturalist 165 153
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Austria Composer 165 153
George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) England Writer - Close friend to J.S. Mill. 160 150
Nicolaus Copernicus Poland Cleric/Astronomer 160 150
Olof Palme Sweden Prime Minister (Murdered) - 156
Rembrandt van Rijn Holland Painter/Etcher 155 146
Anna Lindh Sweden Foreign Minister (Murdered) 152 145
George Sand (Aurore Dupin) France Writer 150 143

Please point out the coin dealers on this list...

Coxe · November 21, 2006 2:26AM

Looks like we have a bell curve from collector votes and, so far, 3 dealers have voted.

relicsncoins · November 21, 2006 2:26AM

I took this one.

IQ Test

I scored in the 130's.

JJ

RegistryCoin · November 21, 2006 2:32AM

<< I took this one. >>

Test: "Tickles" ???

cladking · November 21, 2006 2:33AM

<< Has anyone taken the Mensa IQ test? I did about 2 years ago. They used to have a version online but I don't think it's there anymore.

Here is a comparison of IQ's with cooresponding common possessors.

85 - 114 Average Pupils at junior high school
115 - 124 Above average Pupils at senior high school
125 - 134 Gifted University graduates
135 - 144 Highly gifted Intellectuals
145 - 154 Genius Professors
155 - 164 Genius Nobel Prize Winners
165 - 179 High genius
180 - 200 Highest genius
>200 "Unmeasurable" genius

Famous Geniuses:

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Germany Poet/Writer. Universal genius.** 210 179
Emanuel Swedenborg Sweden Religious writer. Universal genius. 205 176
Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz Germany Philosopher/Mathematician, etc. The greatest universal genius together with Leonardo da Vinci.** 205 176
John Stuart Mill England Philosopher/Economist/Political theorist 200 174
Blaise Pascal France Mathematician/Physicist/Religious thinker 195 171
Ludwig Wittgenstein Austria Philosopher - 190
Bobby Fischer U.S.A. Chess player 187 167
Galileo Galilei Italy Physicist/Astronomer/Philosopher 185 165
René Descartes France Philosopher/Mathematician 180 162
Madame De Stael France Woman of letters/Novelist/Political Philosopher 180 162
Immanuel Kant Germany Philosopher 175 159
Linus Carl Pauling U.S.A. Chemist - Double Nobel Prize Winner 170 156
Sofia Kovalevskaya Russia/Sweden Mathematician/Writer 170 156
Thomas Chatterton England Poet/Writer 170 156
Charles Darwin England Naturalist 165 153
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Austria Composer 165 153
George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) England Writer - Close friend to J.S. Mill. 160 150
Nicolaus Copernicus Poland Cleric/Astronomer 160 150
Olof Palme Sweden Prime Minister (Murdered) - 156
Rembrandt van Rijn Holland Painter/Etcher 155 146
Anna Lindh Sweden Foreign Minister (Murdered) 152 145
George Sand (Aurore Dupin) France Writer 150 143 >>

Sir Isaac Newton and Imahotep may be the two most intelligent men to have ever lived. There
are three or four others who deserve mention though. Certainly Da Vinci is one of them.

ColonialCoinUnion · November 21, 2006 2:34AM

I always take the MENSA quiz in the in-flight magazine when I fly American Airlines, but I often have to cheat and check the answers in order to get them all.

Coxe · November 21, 2006 2:34AM

<< Famous Geniuses:.........Please point out the coin dealers on this list... >>

To be fair, coin dealers are hardly famous in the same way. There are certainly many geniuses (genii?) who are numismatists, most being more preoccupied with other things tan to make dealing in coins their life's focus. One thing to note of many high profile geniuses is that they tend to engage several disciplines (often disjoint ones) rather passionately.

BobaFett72 · November 21, 2006 2:35AM

Anyone ever taken an IQ test? I scored a 127, took a different one scored a 119

then took one last year and scored a 134. Each time I took it, I thought I did lousy lol.

stev32k · November 21, 2006 2:37AM

I think most dealers are above average intelligence, but IQ alone is not enough to succeed in the coin business or any business. It takes drive, motivation, and lots & lots of hard work. A lazy genius will not succeed, but a hard working person of average or above average IQ will.

techeff · November 21, 2006 2:38AM

Below 70 - Very Low. Think Forrest Gump

It's not unusual for someone "like" Forrest Gump to have a very high IQ. You should learn more about "intelligence" before you start posting about it. Although, I do understand your goal of posting another Dealer reach-around thread...

TraderGio · November 21, 2006 2:41AM

<< Famous Geniuses:

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Germany Poet/Writer. Universal genius.** 210 179
Emanuel Swedenborg Sweden Religious writer. Universal genius. 205 176
Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz Germany Philosopher/Mathematician, etc. The greatest universal genius together with Leonardo da Vinci.** 205 176
John Stuart Mill England Philosopher/Economist/Political theorist 200 174
Blaise Pascal France Mathematician/Physicist/Religious thinker 195 171
Ludwig Wittgenstein Austria Philosopher - 190
Bobby Fischer U.S.A. Chess player 187 167
Galileo Galilei Italy Physicist/Astronomer/Philosopher 185 165
René Descartes France Philosopher/Mathematician 180 162
Madame De Stael France Woman of letters/Novelist/Political Philosopher 180 162
Immanuel Kant Germany Philosopher 175 159
Linus Carl Pauling U.S.A. Chemist - Double Nobel Prize Winner 170 156
Sofia Kovalevskaya Russia/Sweden Mathematician/Writer 170 156
Thomas Chatterton England Poet/Writer 170 156
Charles Darwin England Naturalist 165 153
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Austria Composer 165 153
George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans) England Writer - Close friend to J.S. Mill. 160 150
Nicolaus Copernicus Poland Cleric/Astronomer 160 150
Olof Palme Sweden Prime Minister (Murdered) - 156
Rembrandt van Rijn Holland Painter/Etcher 155 146
Anna Lindh Sweden Foreign Minister (Murdered) 152 145
George Sand (Aurore Dupin) France Writer 150 143

Please point out the coin dealers on this list... >>

Well I know Bobby Fischer collects Gold Coins.Fischer's dispute with Swiss bank

coltgus · November 21, 2006 2:42AM

<< What do you think the average IQ of a coin dealer roughly is?

I would assume that experienced catalogers and researchers would have a more meticulous nature and therefore have slightly higher IQ's.

Also, do you believe that the higher the IQ the more successful the coin dealer?

Who are the smartest guys/gals in the business?

Please state your thoughts. >>

I sent you a pm unrelated to this topic.
I don't think IQ is all that well correlated with success in any business. When I go somewhere where rich people congregate the common thread is the people look good and are very affable. Geniuses often don't relate well to average people and they can be ugly too.

lkrarecoins · November 21, 2006 2:45AM

I don't think they are any different than any other professional, whether it be doctor, lawyer, or indian chief. I work with IVY league graduates, authors, as well as High School dropouts. All have various levels of intellect, whether they are the former or latter. I do not believe coin dealers are any different. I think a good mixture of street and book smarts make the best dealers, however

ccr · November 21, 2006 2:53AM

Richard Nixons` estimated IQ is 147 for the benefit of the more anti-dealer members.

fastrudy · November 21, 2006 2:57AM

IQ merely measures your problem solving ability. Autistic savants have a great IQ, but other than that, they are still severly disabled.

Autistic (formerly idiot) savant

Blaise pascal is the genius who invented roulette!

poorguy · November 21, 2006 3:05AM

<< Below 70 - Very Low. Think Forrest Gump

It's not unusual for someone "like" Forrest Gump to have a very high IQ. You should learn more about "intelligence" before you start posting about it. Although, I do understand your goal of posting another Dealer reach-around thread... >>

Boy, you've really got it out for me today. What is your problem? I know plenty about IQ. The "Think Forrest Gump" notation was in reference to his score of the test he took during the movie which was reviewed by his mother during the movie and you can see where he scored on the test.

Yes, I post positive threads about dealers to counterbalance snobby posts like yours.

RichieURich · November 21, 2006 3:07AM

I didn't see Jessica Simpson on the IQ list for some reason.

lkenefic · November 21, 2006 3:08AM

IQ as a measure of future success is an age old dilemma. As others have pointed out, IQ doesn't measure drive, ambition, or common sense. Bear in mind, IQ is only loosely correlated with success in educational achievement. Bill Gates dropped out of college (granted...it was Harvard) and I personally know of several verry successful businessmen that never finished high school. There's also fault in the test itself. I can fluctuate as much as 20 points given the day or the test I take and how the test is scored (ie...Certain questions being weighted over others). Lastly, how does success in other business endeavors translate into success in the coin market? If you're successful selling real estate (or selling crack for that matter), might you also have been successful in the coin biz?

L

MikeInFL · November 21, 2006 3:15AM

I would expect coin dealers to fall across the gamut of IQs, but on average would expect it to be higher than the rest of the population given the job is rather detail oriented which has some correlation to problem solving and therefore IQ. However, given the interpersonal and communications skills (or lack thereof) evidenced by the majority of dealers I've run into, I would surmise to say that the average IQ is only slightly above that of the common man...Mike

cladking · November 21, 2006 4:56AM

<< IQ as a measure of future success is an age old dilemma. As others have pointed out, IQ doesn't measure drive, ambition, or common sense. Bear in mind, IQ is only loosely correlated with success in educational achievement. Bill Gates dropped out of college (granted...it was Harvard) and I personally know of several verry successful businessmen that never finished high school. There's also fault in the test itself. I can fluctuate as much as 20 points given the day or the test I take and how the test is scored (ie...Certain questions being weighted over others). Lastly, how does success in other business endeavors translate into success in the coin market? If you're successful selling real estate (or selling crack for that matter), might you also have been successful in the coin biz?

L >>

The problem is that in order to measure intelligence you'd have to define it. Then you'd have
to devise proper questions that are more likely to be correctly answered by the sharper individ-
uals who take the test than others. Then you have to weight the various characteristics of in-
telligence to reflect some sort of standard. Error will be introduced at each point. The greatest
error perhaps is in assuming that even if the most important few dozen attributes of intelligence
can be measured that it will have any real life meaning. Achilles was felled by a weakness he
mistook as a strenght and by the same token an individual with significant shortcomings in some
or most areas can learn to work around them. A genius might walk in front of a bus. Perhaps he
had believed that observation was one of his strenghts.

There are a lot of parallels to grading coins in measuring intelligence. But where most of the char-
acteristics of coins can be quantified it is much more difficult with intelligence. More importantly is
the difficulty in defining all the aspects of intelligence.

ziggy29 · November 21, 2006 5:01AM

I don't really trust IQ tests. I think they can measure SOME aspects of intelligence, but not all. Thus there are undoubtedly very bright people who have uninspiring IQ scores, and probably some clueless people with very high IQs.

Besides, since I usually score in the 140s on them, I don't trust them. I ain't that bright.

Russ · November 21, 2006 5:04AM

<< Above 140 - Far Superior. Think Einstein
9 (votes) 10.11 (%) >>

I see that nine dealers have weighed in so far.

Russ, NCNE

coppercoins · November 21, 2006 5:11AM

I agree with Ziggy on this one. My most recent IQ score was 157 - that would put me in the genius category, and I hardly think of myself as a genius.

numisma · November 21, 2006 5:13AM

I am just smart enough to know that I am not smart.

ziggy29 · November 21, 2006 5:15AM

<< I am just smart enough to know that I am not smart. >>

"I am so smart....I am so smart....S-M-R-T....I mean S-M-A-R-T..." -- Homer Simpson

richardshipp · November 21, 2006 5:17AM

Sometimes it pays to just have some good old common "cents"

Russ · November 21, 2006 5:18AM

I have a brother with an IQ that consistently tested above 160. He's a total fruitcake who's been sponging off the system all his life. One of the most pathetic losers I've ever known.

Russ, NCNE

goose3 · November 21, 2006 5:19AM

intelligence doesn't have as much to do with it as "Street Smarts".

poorguy · November 21, 2006 5:53AM

<< I have a brother with an IQ that consistently tested above 160. He's a total fruitcake who's been sponging off the system all his life. One of the most pathetic losers I've ever known.

Russ, NCNE >>

Yeah, IQ isn't everything.

Cladiator · November 21, 2006 5:57AM

I took a test some time ago that said I'm 127. Funny thing is I was, let's say heavily chemically altered at the time. I question the results and methods of these things.

poorguy · November 21, 2006 5:59AM

<< I took a test some time ago that said I'm 127. Funny thing is I was, let's say heavily chemically altered at the time. I question the results and methods of these things. >>

Maybe you are just lucky.

ccr · November 21, 2006 6:05AM

<< intelligence doesn't have as much to do with it as "Street Smarts". >>

I`ve known a few theives that done it " professionally " for years. Slick as heck that can get through locks with ease. They where like kiddie toys to them. Complete scum in my eyes but, stunned at how easy it was for them and not care. It`s living for them.

I was talking to my sister last year that most IQ tests test only 3 or 4 catagories/clusters. Psychologists have defined 9 catagories/clusters and 3 or 4 are only tested. The only ones I remember are these:

1) Spacial
2) Mathamatical
3) Athletic
4) Social
5) Language
6) Artistic

There are 3 more that I can`t remember now. Nosing around the internet I`m sure one can find the other 3.

Like with Michael Jordan may not be the " smartest " guy around but, athletically superior to 99% of people out there. Made a good living at it too. So, as others eluded to, it depends on your criteria.

Russ · November 21, 2006 6:09AM

<< 1) Spacial
2) Mathamatical
3) Athletic
4) Social
5) Language
6) Artistic

There are 3 more that I can`t remember now. >>

Is one of them spelling?

Russ, NCNE

Jcarney · November 21, 2006 6:11AM

<< Also, do you believe that the higher the IQ the more successful the coin dealer? >>

No. I think IQ and the tests that measure it are highly over-rated and tell only a small portion of the story of a persons intellect. They all seem to mostly measure how well a person handles abstract thinking and pattern recognition and don't seem to measure creativity well. I believe they're almost useless as a predictor of future success/failure.

I've taken a few of these tests and have scored anywhere from 134 to 148. When you get familiar with what they're looking for on these tests, they become almost easy.

MikeInFL · November 21, 2006 6:16AM

<< 

<< 1) Spacial
2) Mathamatical
3) Athletic
4) Social
5) Language
6) Artistic

There are 3 more that I can`t remember now. >>

Is one of them spelling?

Russ, NCNE >>

Is another pointing out the faults/mistakes of others in order to be witty?

frankieboywonder · November 21, 2006 6:26AM

One dealer with a known IQ of 57 tried selling me common wheat cents at $5 apiece; and I purchased several!!

orie · November 21, 2006 6:39AM

I would think an average IQ would do, but a good memory is a must.

Bear · November 21, 2006 7:19AM

A high IQ is meaningless, without the ability to absorb

and utilize knowledge. Otherwise, it remained an unforfilled

potential, worth nothing, achieving nothing and as a benefit

to society.....nothing.

My IQ is 27. However, that is very good for a bear.

pbfloyd · November 21, 2006 7:31AM

Is another pointing out the faults/mistakes of others in order to be witty

I guess you will be an idiot now

ccr · November 21, 2006 9:08AM

Collecting Kennedys is a negative 20 points on IQ I hear.

shylock · November 21, 2006 9:21AM

What do you think the average IQ of a coin dealer roughly is?

About the same as the average man on the street.

I'm more interested in a coin dealer's aptitude for acquiring great coins than I am in his IQ.
I've met very intelligent people in this hobby who have no knack for acquiring great coins.

Average IQ of Coin Dealers - What Do You Think? Poll

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