1. Why does Numismatism sound like something that you can get arrested for? 2. Now that we have ammassed all this, what are we going to do with it?
1. Because numismatism isn't a word - and it sounds like a disease to me. The word is either numismatics or numismatist. 2. I plan on getting a ridiculous number of coins and putting them into a large swimming pool, key dates and all. Then I'm inviting everyone at coin talk over for a dip.
I have a question....Why don't we wait to see what that next coin looks like that will be struck tomorrow? Clinker
For the Numismatic term it may be due to other wierd things with that ending. Ventrilouism, Hypnotism, etc. Not sure of the spelling but lots of wierd things end in "ism". Now if you sit down and really look at a coin collector, don't you think they too are a little wierd. Think. People that worship a small round piece of metal and are carefull to hold it by the edges. Some wear cottom gloves. Many place them in little plastic holders and stare at them. Many sit and do massive research as to how many made, where made, out of what, etc. If you think about it a person so ingrossed with a little piece of metal and is into a thing that ends in "ism". HMMMMM. As to what to do with it all. I'm very old. Have been through stage 4 Cancers. No realtives that know or want to know anything about coins. So what happens to it all. Soon enough I won't care and it will be SOMEONE'S problem, but not mine.
I like Carl's assesment of the word and it's perceived "weirdness". Of course, as strange as the fact may be that we like looking at at collecting little pieces of metal, at least they are all different in many ways and have a sense of artistic and historical beauty about them. My wife is, I suppose, a gemologist. To me thats weird. If you've seen one diamond or saphire, to me, you've seen them all. It's funny how we see the things we do as normal when others probably think we're nuts. Guy~
