Numismatist, collector, hoarder?

How would you describe the difference between a numismatist, a coin collector and a coin hoarder?

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Sometimes they are the same. Look at some of the coins members hoard - like clembo and his 2 cents.

 

To me, A Numismatist is someone who studies coins, grading and counterfiet detecting. The studies of a Numismatist is certainly not limited to those three areas but can include any number of methods of research and topics in which he/she is interested. A Numismatist is also, most times, a collector, but not always.

A Collector is someone who collects coins for the pure enjoyment of the hobby but most often will do some research of his/her own into which coins interest him/her. Most times making educated decisions on the purchases he/she makes.

A Hoarder collects collects coins, whatever it may be, most times because they think alot of one thing may be worth a fortune someday. A Hoarder will most times buy on a whim without doing much, if any, research on the subject.

 

all that I can say is:
Yes, I am all three.

 

I guess I can consider myself parts of all three also. It didnt really come to me until I re-read my previous post..lol

 

all 3 are one and the same just as an european asian and african are all humans

 

I too agree with indianhead. The only thing is there are many types of hoarders too. And of course there are different types of collectors and so called Numismatist too. There are those that hoard for future possible increases in value, then sell. There are those that just like certain types of coins and hoard only those. Sort of like me with Mercury Dimes. Then there are the worst types that hoard for metal value only. There is a web site for those that hoard for metal purposes called something like realcentforum. There they really stress the melting values of coins regardless of coin values.
Sort of the problem with an explanation of each type, to many variations.

 

I also much agree with Indianhead. I might phrase it like this;

A numismatist is someone who takes an intellectual interest in coinage, papermoney etc.

A hoarder is someone who accumulates coins and banknotes with little interest in them.

A collector can be anywhere between the two.

 

I think a collector is defined by the desire to "have every one" of a given type. As I've pretty much transcended this need, I guess I'm just a numismatist.

 

60% Collector, 40% Numismatist, 0% hoarder.

I'm moving toward numismatist - having coins becomes less important, knowing them becomes more important.

 

I am a collector first, which turned into a vest pocket dealer due to an overabundance of coins.

There are times it is very painful to buy and sell a coin that I want to keep, I just cannot keep them all ( financially ), but do get a true joy out of owning a nice one for a short time. I also get a true joy in placing it with a buyer that likes it.

I also have a hoard of high grade circ semi key dates, even rolls of some, something in me just won't let me sell them all. They have a purpose, and that is retirement. One of these days the hoard will be dispursed, but not yet.

I dont study much, I do not have the attention span. I liked Indianheads answer the best.

 

I started out a horder, and I am still mostly horder, but the more coins I began to learn about the more I started to want certain coins. I guess it started with a few proof coins, and then,, I HAD to have a reverse proof ASE, and it went from there. I get board and read the red book, I am constantly bidding on Ebay, I'm bidding on a dcam ASE rite now. I htink I personally crashed the mint tracking site refreshing over and over.

 

I have a tendency to hoard, but I really don't want to do that. I buy cheaper coins just to buy them. But, I really should save my money to buy key date coins and really superb coins.

One category that is not mentioned in this thread is the Investor. Many coin buyers are Investors who buy coins as invests.

 

Well said Kevin... And I believe your definition of collector describes me best.

 

Guess I would have to go with collector on this one. I am like a sponge though for information. I learn something new every day on these forums.

 

I'm just not sure yet....

I love roll searching and filling the holes in my albums and I love upgrading my coins...

Getting a kick off of bag searching Lincolns And picking out AU red 1950's and 1960's coins...

At the same time, buying all the books and reading them voraciaously....

Will admit to hoarding anything cooper or silver for later searching....

Haven't sold anything yet...

 

I am a collector without a lot of focus, but I'm not a hoarder. I do it for pure pleasure and do not buy blindly.

I should know more about coins by now, but I have too many other interests, I guess.

 

I am 80% collector 10% hoarder and 10% numismatist.

 

Somewhere this thread took a turn. It's supposed to be how do you define the terms, not which one are you.

Frankly I think Indianheads definitions are pretty darn good