Credentials of numismatic professionals

How well do we know the leaders in the numismatic industry? Do these people have degrees from good colleges and universities? We have seen them at coin shows and in the pages of numismatic publications, but there are real questions when doing business with companies where the head or associates have no degrees in various institutes of higher learning.

Is there a good way to do a thorough background check on the principals at any given business where we are thinking of spending serious money?

 

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Just out of curiosity, is that necessary? Just because someone doesn't have a master's, doctorate, etc. doesn't mean he's any less capable at being a professional in the hobby. Many of our greatest minds didn't have a degree.

 

I would not say it is necessary for those on the top tier of a multi-millionaire company to have a college degree; I can think of a lot of top professionals that are college dropouts, Brian Williams, for one. But it does indicate a level of seriousness if someone completes a college degree. Certainly a high school dropout or an ex-felon should not be in charge of lots of employees and lots of money.

 

What makes you say that? I understand felons but alot of influential and important people never finnished school. Abraham Lincoln went to school only a couple of years and self taught himself throu newspapers before he was older and ran the country

 

Actually one of the leading figures in numismatics has a masters degree from M.I.T. Not to mention that many of them have advanced degrees from NU (Numismatics University).

 

So, what you're telling us is that if someone hasn't any book
learnin', they don't belong in the office but only on the factory
floor?

There are just as many stupid people with university degrees
as there are smart high school dropouts.
(And a lot of those educated people are felons, too!)
What are your qualifications, Owle?

 

If a business is run honestly and profitably, I don't care who is running it!

 

No offense, but all a college degree means is that you showed up for 4 years and passed with a 70%. It doesn't measure your aptituity with the information, just the fact that you can pass the tests assigned. Your real colors shine in the profession- not in the degree.

 

I can see it now, this topic is controversial enough that it could go on for days. I can understand the OP's motivation to find the facts. But what made you, all of a sudden, want to know this information? Did you recently get burned in a transaction? Were you seriously misinformed with bad advice from said professionals? There has to be some underlying cause. Sorry to dig deep, but we care to know what bothers you about it. We are educators to everyone.

 

I do understand Owel's point about credentials when spending various amount of money. How that equates to a college degree? Some of the most corrupt people that I have ever had the misfortune to come in contact with had advanced degrees.

 

A good reputation doesn't come with the diploma.

 

Do they do online degrees?

There are only two dealers I know of in the US that have degrees in numismatics Jonathan Kern has a BA in numismatics and Donald Kagin has a PhD in Numismatics. In both cases they were from Liberal Arts Colleges that had a "Create your own Degree" program.

But as JC1983 suggested Credentials doesn't have to mean a degree.

 

Owle,

If this is bothering you, then maybe you should switch to collecting beanie babies or pet rocks.

Chris

 

I did not think the subject is off base as some regard it. I have a four year degree. Credentials matter, membership in good organizations like the ANA, the local chamber of commerce, and so forth are all relevant. To say that a high school diploma, a two year associates degree or a four year BA or BS, speak nothing to the quality of the person who earned the degree is ridiculous. The problem is often the business owner posts little in the way of their background along with their coins or currency. In the larger culture coins, currency and money in general fit in together as part of a seamless web. I also asked if there was some way to check the background of those you intend to do real business with; that also is common sense.

 

eye'm know mental giant!!!!!!!!! but i agree with d.t. menace

 

My dog Woofy just informed me that some people didn't get his joke about NU (Numismatic University), but that he would like to attend oneday if it ever opens.

 

What about a Third Degree?

I've been given the Third Degree on Multiple occasions. Does that count?

 

Who are you to say that just because X dealer did not finish college he/she is any less of a businessperson? Ever think that maybe life took an unexpected turn and they were unable to do so? It is ridiculous to think that a degree in an unrelated field speaks volumes about the quality of a person dealing coins, sir. You have a "four year degree" and so does Bernie Madoff. Does this mean you would rather buy your coins from someone like him simply because they have a degree? This logic is questionable at best. Why should any dealer (a person selling a product) provide background info if unrelated to the product they are selling, especially when said product SHOULD speak for itself?

What does it really take to be a member of the ANA? Paying dues, so how does an ANA membership equal solid credentials? It does not. There are plenty of other numismatic organizations that anyone can join by simply paying a fee and will look great on a business card. What ever happened to taking someone at face value? What happened to personal accountability when buying a product? What difference does it really make if X dealer dropped out of high school 50 years ago or even committed a crime in his/her youth? They are selling coins, not operating on children. Why care more about what a dealer than the coins you are purchasing? Any person looking to buy coins should be more concerned with their own numismatic knowledge than with the so-called quality or formal education of the person selling them. A "numismatic education" - one that cannot be earned in a college or proven with a degree - should be more important to a collector than worrying about what someone else may or may not have done in their past.