Are there many careers in numismatics?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by OnEWB, Mar 25, 2016.

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  1. OnEWB

    OnEWB Active Member

    And go.
     
    OnEWB, Mar 25, 2016
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  3. Ardatirion

    Ardatirion Où est mon poisson

    Best Answer
    To echo what the two above me just said, the most important thing to have is passion. This is a tough field to crack into partly because there is no training program. No set of courses you can complete, no qualifications you can check off a list. Anyone who succeeds here does it on there own. Its hard, but its possible.

    I know because I've done it. I'm one of those guys that GDJSMP was just talking about. I gravitated towards the field in college. I had just declared my intended double major in archaeology and history and realized that one interest of mine perfectly meshed with these two fields – numismatics. From there, I applied for and got an internship at the ANA, which opened some unbelievable doors for me. I then spent a summer trying to do freelance cataloging, and another summer interning for the firm I now work for. Those opportunities were fantastic, but the real learning happened when no one else was around. I looked at every coin I could find. Seriously. I check every entry on ebay, every page of vcoins. I read every relevant book in the library.

    One small caveat: if you truly love collecting, you might want to think twice. You stand a strong chance of getting totally burned out on coins, especially if you do US stuff. The best-case scenario is probably what happened to me. You get a job at a great company and see some astounding, top-tier coins, which then leads to your tastes developing vastly in excess of your budget. Its hard looking at six figure coins all day and then saving up for a measly $500 purchase. If you want to collect coins, go become a doctor or a software developer or something and rake in the cash.
     
    Ardatirion, Mar 26, 2016
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  5. physics-fan3.14

    physics-fan3.14 You got any more of them.... prooflikes?

    You can make a career in whatever you want.

    You just have to provide some product or service that people are willing to pay for.
     
    physics-fan3.14, Mar 25, 2016
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  6. SuperDave

    SuperDave Free the Cartwheels!

    No, not for any reasonable definition of "many."
     
    SuperDave, Mar 25, 2016
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  7. TopcatCoin

    TopcatCoin TC

    Coin dealer is probably #1 on the list. Also thinking of some specialty areas though, such as coin photographer, professional coin grader, etc.
     
    TopcatCoin, Mar 25, 2016
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  8. Ardatirion

    Ardatirion Où est mon poisson

    If you're a numismatic cataloger looking for a job, they're hard to find. If you're a numismatic firm looking to hire a cataloger, those are hard to find too. Its a weird job market.

    Source: professional cataloger for nearly 6 years.
     
    Ardatirion, Mar 25, 2016
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  9. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    Lucky you! You must see some really special stuff. Care to share the city you work in?
     
    Insider, Mar 25, 2016
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  10. Ardatirion

    Ardatirion Où est mon poisson

    Lancaster, PA. I work here: http://cngcoins.com/
     
    Ardatirion, Mar 25, 2016
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  11. jwitten

    jwitten Well-Known Member

    Many listed jobs you can apply for? Doubtful. Many POSSIBLE jobs that you have the ability to do yourself? Heck ya, we are still in a capitalist society (for now at least).
     
    jwitten, Mar 25, 2016
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  12. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    Thanks for the web page. I have not kept up with many of the long-time ancient dealers such as Mr. England ;) since the 1980's. Everyone knows of the CNG but I was unaware of the staff members. Quite impressive.
     
    Insider, Mar 25, 2016
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  13. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    Are you sure? Perhaps 1/2 capitalist and 1/2 others. Time is running out fast but you did not hear any SEMI-political opinions here. :muted: I'm more concerned about the future effects on our hobby/jobs/coin market/coin business.
     
    Insider, Mar 25, 2016
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  14. Markus1959

    Markus1959 Well-Known Member

    Just keep coming up with different designs for state quarters, seems like you'll have a life time job!!
     
    Markus1959, Mar 25, 2016
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    tommyc03, longnine009 and RobsCoins like this.
  15. Hommer

    Hommer Curator of Semi Precious Coinage

    Or coins on nails.
     
    Hommer, Mar 25, 2016
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  16. Ryan Barnhardt

    Ryan Barnhardt ICG Customer Service

    I'm in college at the moment but was lucky to get a part time job working with some great numismatists. It's often who you know that can get you a foot in the door. Lots of relatives work in the industry!
     
    Ryan Barnhardt, Mar 25, 2016
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  17. Insider

    Insider Talent on loan from...

    Do you work for NGC?
     
    Insider, Mar 25, 2016
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  18. bdunnse

    bdunnse Who dat?

    Coin collector. Low pay.
     
    bdunnse, Mar 25, 2016
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    Coinchemistry 2012 and RobsCoins like this.
  19. Paddy54

    Paddy54 Well-Known Member

    If you're interested I'm running a special ....Today only for $12.95 I make you an numismatist ,and a ordained minister. :)
     
    Paddy54, Mar 25, 2016
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    Coinchemistry 2012, Cascade, Paul M. and 1 other person like this.
  20. RobsCoins

    RobsCoins coin collecting IS the true hobby of kings.

    I would lovve to work in an area related to numismatics.

    I guess some would say that seems boring, but what do they know.
     
    RobsCoins, Mar 25, 2016
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  21. tommyc03

    tommyc03 Senior Member

    I would be willing to bet that if you were willing to mentor under a dealer for free for a time, you might open yourself to a possible job at some point. If I had a dealer nearby I would love to do it for free as I'm retired. Asking around at local coin shows and club events might not be a bad idea either. You just never know...
     
    tommyc03, Mar 25, 2016
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  22. xCoin-Hoarder'92x

    xCoin-Hoarder'92x Storm Tracker

    There aren't many. I would assume there easily a lot more people who own their own coin businesses than people who work for others in numismatics. (I'm talking about officially owning a shop established in a community, not just selling on ebay or whatever). Evidently there are millions of people who love coins but in the job market there's close to nothing available.

    Short of working at a Mint or a grading service, there's probably nothing else out there. And I doubt the turnover is all that high. People in those work environments all likely enjoy their jobs and have personal coin collections.
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2016
    xCoin-Hoarder'92x, Mar 25, 2016
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  23. mac266

    mac266 Well-Known Member

    Do you know anyone who is hiring?
     
    mac266, Mar 25, 2016
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