Collector vs Numismatist

Some people called me numismatist a few times but I was not seeing myself as a numismatist as I am not doing this as a professional career.

However I found the following description in Wikipedia:

"A numismatist is a specialist in numismatics ("of coins"; from Late Latinnumismatis, genitive of numisma). Numismatists include collectors, specialist dealers and scholars who use coins in object-based research."

So what do you think? All collectors are numismatists? If not what are the requirements to call someone numismatist?

 

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I think if you're actively educating yourself about your purchases at all (beyond "ooh, cool coin, I'm going to buy it") you are a numismatist. Some collectors have more serious numismatic leanings than others but the definition is basically a synonym for coin collector.

 

My feeling is that you are a numistatist, if you collect coins for the fun of it, take time to study the historical importance of coin, have reference books to research your collecting field. On the otherhand, if you have investment gurus to buy your coins as a financial portfolio....no.

 

I agree with TIF on the definition of being a numismatist. In the early 20th century, it was also common to see the auction catalogues of the time call collectors "Amateurs" if they were not dealers, which sort of gives a negative connotation today and isn't used anymore.

 

CRHers who are in it solely for the "silver" are not numismatists!

Chris

 

The difference is the difference between “active” collecting and “passive” collecting.

“Active” collectors try to continuously learn about the hobby and their coins, contribute to the existing knowledge by taking new perspectives and studying coins that had not been duly studied before, and using what they have learned to teach others.

“Passive” collectors accumulate coins for the sake of accumulation, investment, completing sets, or just capturing a fancy. Little other than superficial studying is done.

 

I think serious collectors who take the time to properly attribute their coins, study reverse types, legends, and also understand the historical importance of their coins are numismatists. Rather than someone who is buying aurei or solidi solely for investment returns.

 

I wrote a few academic papers (and published at least one of them) on the changing nature of our definition of the professions. You are correct according to the literature on the topic. A little over a hundred years ago professionals were disparaged because they were not rich enough to do what they loved. They had to work for a living. Remember that the root of "amateur" is the latin word for love. An amateur does what he or she loves (i refuse to use the plural here as the subject is singular).

In my view a numismatist is anyone who studies coins for the sheer joy and fascination of it. In other words a lover of coins and everything that surrounds them including the history of the items and the historical events they refer to.

 

Orfew hit it dead on. I am sure that famous "wealthy" collectors like Garrett/ Norweb/ Eliasburg/ Farouk/ Newman/ Pogue etc. where in it for the passion of the hobby, not for the investment. They just loved the thrill of the hunt, looking at their prized coins, the historical aspects. Ordinary guys like me, collect for the same reason The high you get from your coin collection is "forever" and healthy.....

 

There is also a difference between numismatist and professional numismatist.

 

Hmmm... well, I do not consider myself a numismatist, rather I collect Historically. And I really love my coins, and am a huge fan of Ancient Coins.

Ok, I think I am in another coin-hobby classification:

Hysterical-Historical.

 

it's lasts longer than weed, i'm here to testify ^^ ><

 

I would say that most CT members have a fascination with history

And FAR Healthier

 

..oh Brian, you fit right in

 

well, i've never been put in jail for collecting coins

 

the definition of an amateur (broadly) is one who doesn't get paid to do it...so (broadly again), i've sold coins for a little more than i paid, hence, i'm "professional" now

 

Rightly so!
FDR tried that in 1933, when it became a crime to hold gold coins

 

weird things happen when economies collapse

 

EDITED: Political
John, you / your family would had been exempt... you are German / Canadian.

 

Thank God!

EDITED: NO POLITICAL COMMENTS!