What's the ratio of women to men in numismatics?

Hard to generalize on why coin collecting is male dominated. This can be a tricky area to navigate.

If I were single, I would never go to a coin show to meet gals.
It would be the Sahara desert of dating!

As a suggestion, frequent wine tastings at local shops, gals arrive in groups.

As I said..were I single..

 

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I hear ya...

 

If what you say is true. every single man on this forum will want to know where that geographical phenomenom is..

 

A personal note:

My grandmother was an avid coin and stamp collector.

 

I'm going to assume that the OP was possibly curious or interested as to why there aren't more women involved in coins - so he, for one, cares. And it looks like at least the others (except you) who have posted responses care. And I care because, of course, I am female and love coins (well, copper ones at least) and would like to demonstrate to women that this is a very interesting, fun, enjoyable, historical, and educational hobby/business.

And yes, it has been discussed here and on other forums, as to why more women aren't interested in coins as much as men, and those threads usually have a few neanderthal men pounding their chests with 18th century ideas as to why more women don't collect coins, so I'm sure we don't need to rehash all that here.

Women do have a different perspective on most things than men, including coins. Personally, I think I bring a more feminine perspective to coins and feel others have appreciated and benefited from it. As a women, I see coins not just for monetary and historical value, but for their beauty as well. I'm sure many men do too, but that is probably far behind their monetary value. To me, when I choose a coin, I evaluate it for its beauty and attractiveness FIRST (then I decide if it's value is worth the purchase). I feel that if I think it is an attractive coin, then others will too, and as far as I can tell, that is more (but not exclusive) unique to a feminine perspective - which has served me well so far.

As I mentioned above, I do see more young women at coin shows, which is very heartening, because it means their family, most likely their father or grandfather, has encouraged that young girl, rather than discouraged her, to enjoy coins. I think perhaps with the upcoming generations the gender barrier is being broken in many previous male-oriented fields, and I believe numismatics is one of them.

 

I think the ratio of 1:10 on coin collecting is about right.

A Large portion of My horde came from both grandma's.

Now, Numismatics....where folks want to spew opinions and poke someone in their ignorant eye about "whatever" seems to be masculine.

My Grandma's were more sharing and encouraged the opinion that "This one is special because...."

Gramps were more of the opinion:

"This one is more valuable than that one and here is why....."

So it seems more folks that end up with a "Valuable Collection" they aggressive pursue are male.

Those that have some coins they value are female.

:secret:

 

Very good post and points - encouragement is one key to getting the ladies more involved.

 

One curiousity is that I notice overseas that there are more women involved in numismatics, both as collectors and as dealers. In Europe it is not unusual, I am sure there is no 50/50 ratio but it seems like there are maybe 25% collectors and dealers there as opposed to in North America. Even when I was in China a couple of years ago, there were several coin dealers that were ladies, like there is no glass ceiling in numismatics in these places.

Many of the paper money dealers I buy currency from are women, Pam West, Kate Gibson, Jane White in the UK, Sylvia Reichenberger in Munich, and I have bought many lovely ancients from Dr. Martina Dieterle also from Germany. The main thing that keeps me buying from them is that they are nit pickers when it comes to perfect well described items and awesome customer service. In that vane, perhaps I prefer to buy better stuff from the ladies, because they have a better eye for good stuff.

Until I buy one of Pennylady's cents in the near future, I have not dealt with any ladies in the USA.

 

I thank everyone for their responses. My guess as to why the hobby is dominated by men comes in two parts. The first reason may be genetic. Men might be more apt to collect and catalog things based on evolutionary instinct. The second reason is our culture here in the U.S. In our culture, women a "supposed" to be interested in jewelry and shoes, and men are "supposed" to be interested in collecting and history. The stereotypes are propagated by any one gender, but most people in general. I really can't speak to European women in numismatics.

 

That is my experience as well. Not that I have attended that many shows in the US, but from what I have been able to appreciate there are more ladies at shows over here (in Germany at least), both buying and selling. BTW, I agree about Martina Dieterle, she does have some very attractive coins. She is also very pleasant in person to deal with.

 

What?

A hobby being DOMINATED may imply a majority of the population consists of a certain type.

Or it may mean certain types dominate the hobby.

In the end, as a statistic, overweight middle aged males provide their significant others with some stuff that gets passed onto the survivors.

Statically, they are females....who don't have health care issues related to their "stuff" like guys do.

Face it. WE, as the majority GUYs in the population accept that "THEY" the minority, run the end game of the Bee Hive, Honey.

Money made it the "Oldest Profession", right?

:goofer:

Collecting is just an attempt to "Have & to Hold" something you might be able to control.

 

Well, in my family there are 4 men who collect coins and two women.

 

I'll step in it big time. As a fifty something who grew up before OCD was widely diagnosed. I'm sure i had it and coin collecting helped keep me focused when few other things would.

I find it interesting that OCD also affects men in similar proportions to that seen at coin shows.

 

I agree that the ratio is probably 10:1 men to women. Being a 40ish female, I've noticed it when I've gone to shows and also in my local coin club. I get a kick out of the situation when I go to shows with my husband (who I just got turned onto collecting) and everyone assumes he is the knowledgeble one and I am the tag-a-long. We have three grandchildren (2 girls and 1 boy) and we've been buying all of them coins for little gifts - so personally in our family we are trying to change the ratio! LOL!

I agree with Charmy, I collect because I find coins beautiful and I am a history buff. Not only do I like to collect coins but I also like to study the history surrounding the coin (the political environment, the economics, and the artistic style of the time the coin was minted).

 

It is probably as lop sided as how many woman really like watching professional wrestling. I like watching the History Channel while my girlfriend likes watching Hallmark movies. What's up with that?

 

Lop Sided is as Lop Sided does

I once lived/worked in a world/occupation that was about 98% female dominated.

I loved going to conventions.

I loved everything about it except for the other guy per hundred, that is.

 

Nice post. Insightful. Traditions come and go. Since you are certainly among both hobbyists and dealers more than most of us on the forum, I trust your observations about the changes towards more gender parity in coin collecting.

 

Guess I pulled the trigger before really thinking this one out. No offense was intended, although it surely seems to come across that way, since I have indeed offended a much esteemed member of this forum. My intention was to comment on the demographics of collecting and not the gender issue. Again, my sincere appologies if I have offended anyone......