Has anyone ever seen any studies on (or simply care to offer speculation on) coin collecting across different areas or categories of society? By which I mean, what percentage of coin collectors are women? In the U.S., what percentage of African American vs. white folks? Is there a certain religious denomination or ethnic group that seems to have more a propensity for coin collecting? And what about other countries? Is coin collecting as big--or bigger-- in, say, Japan, as it is here in the U.S.? ...and that sort of thing.
Personally I would LOVE to see some demographics. If the show I was at yesterday is any indication, there are VERY few of us chicks out there. But I think being in the minority tends to work to my advantage . Joe and I certainly don't blend into the woodwork and everyone always remembers us
I'd like to see some demographics as well. Also, are there any statistics published on the size of numismatic "industry" in the US or other countries?
Well at the FUN show I did not see many women "buyers or dealers" altho plenty were there, most were with their husbands, boyfriends or kids, or helping with business if with the dealers (family business). As for African Americans, or black folks (not all are African Americans or want to labeled that way) there where none buying anywhere, and I do not recall seeing 1 black coin dealer either which is rather odd, I find it hard to believe tho that there aren't any, I'm sure there are black collectors-- As for collectors in other countries, I know many exists, we have a few in our forum here from quite a few European countries. If we had to choose which country has the most coin collectors? I would have to speculate that the USA prolly has the most, not only usa coin specific collectors but we probably collect more world coins that any other nation also--I guess us Yanks like all coins of the whole world Finally, I don't think religion has anything to do with it at all, irrelevant. If you took a poll in here I bet you will find all religions--I'm a male Catholic for example. But I think it don't mean squat if you will-- Interesting question by the way--- Cisco
No studies, but as the researchers say, I can offer some anecdotal evidence about collecting in Japan. There are dozens of dealers advertising in the annual Japanese Numismatic Dealers Asociation catalog; the Japan Mint Bureau has an active Mint Set program and issues frequent commemoratives; and the major coin shows in Tokyo, Hiroshima, Osaka and a few other centers have significant attendance figures - although nothing like the top U.S. shows. At the Osaka Coin Show a couple of years ago there were about 70-80 tables. Many Japanese collectors are into gold as much as many U.S. collectors are into Morgans. In general JNDA prices are higher than Krause for the same coins, and many Japanese dealers won't consider selling anything at retail below catalog. Just based on what I have seen in postings in this and other forums I suspect that Great Britain and Germany are the most active numismatic countries in Europe. EBay-UK has far more coin listings than any of the other European boards.
I believe that the ANA has taken samples and published them. I know for a fact that Coin World pays well to have a professional firm sample their readership. The CW information is proprietary, of course. Even if I remembered specifics, I think it would be wrong to cite them. I do remember the easy generalities that we all know by observation. Most collectors are in late middle age, median 55 years. Most collectors are white. Most collectors are middle class. Most collectors are men. Most American collectors collect American coins. Michigan leads the nation in the percentage of collectors in the general population. The reasons for these facts are not always well explained. It is true that you have to have leisure and discretionary income in order to pursue a hobby. Why collecting numismatic items seems not to resonate with women is not understood. As Americans of Spanish heritage who have lost their direct contact with their original cultures tend to rise up the social ladder, they have the resources to spend on recapturing some sense of contact and understanding for their traditions. So, Spanish American numismatics has been slowly strengthening. The same seems to apply to East Asians and South Asians. On the other hand, this being Black History Month, Martin Luther King's dream may or may not have come to fruition. Cultural cross currents for identity and identification may have continued segregation in unexpected ways. As a consequence, an American of Negro heritage would have to be fairly well integrated into the mainstream value set in order perceive a reflection in the coins of the 19th century. Suggesting that there are "Black" coins such as the Booker T. Washington commemorative is just insulting. Anyone not three days dead knows a sop. It might be said that numismatics is a hobby for old white guys because we successfully marginalized everyone else. On the other hand, I have interviewed some of those "marginalized" people and they all seem pretty happy, enjoying the hobby, and buying, selling and collecting in a pursuit where knowledge is king.
Thanks for the responses, everyone. I just find this kind of interesting. Not only are the coins themselves a window on various cultures, but the phenomenon of coin collecting--who does, and who doesn't--could be kind of revealing too, I guess. I don't know what it reveals, though. I suppose it's that way with lots and lots of hobbies.
Hey Mike! A post from the past. I just wanted to ask if you ever came across any other coin collector demographic sources? This thread ended too quickly and I found the topic very interesting. It seems like a book on this topic is just begging to be written. Thanks
I make my living coding data driven web apps, and would be happy to put together a quick "survey" to gather some demographic data, if anyone's interested in such a thing?
You pull the qualitative data and I'll write the book. I have access to both a statistician and an editor.
