What is the difference between a Beginner and an Advanced Numismatist?

They ask many questions, and their curiosity opens a whole new world to them. They probably try to get involved with a collecting community, such as this one, so that they can learn more.


I find this very well put, and essential for me to keep on enjoying this great hobby. I fear I will lose interest the day I move beyond this, and try to be a never-ending beginner.

 

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One is eager and the other is wise!

RickieB

 

I consider myself a novice, but based on the descriptions, I'd be somewhere between beginner and intermediate.

 

I have been collecting for almost 30 years and I would consider myself a beginner. I know the basics of most issues but I am sure I could be easily fooled by a fake and I am not good at grading. I collect for the fun of it. Except for bullion I have no worries or interest in making a profit.

 

I feel that I am an intermediate collector, and I am always open to help others and I can teach what I know, and do it well. I learned a lot, quickly, and had some of the characteristics of a troll, I think I always thought I was an advanced collector, when I was really a novice. As character changes, the way you learn and teach become different, you learn more and your teaching becomes better. One of my best friends wants to get into the hobby, looks like I have a project

Thanks for bumping the thread, RickieB!

 

I do not consider myself to be numismatist but I consider myself to be an Intermediate silver art bar collector. Just my opinion.

 

Great thread, I am glad a a new person here others bumped it. Excellent overview, though like others have said each of these levels need to be considered in a small area of numismatics. I may consider myself advanced in a few areas of ancient coins, but even then just for some periods of some civilizations. Anyone claiming to even be an advanced colector of ancient coins, medieval coins, or American coins I would raise an eyebrow on. Now, if someone said I was an advanced collector of Trajan bronzes, or late Byzantine silver, (or even expert), I would believe them since its a small enough field to BE an advanced collector of. Even David Sear, Harlan Berk, or Victor England cannot claim to be experts or even advanced in all areas of ancient coinage, (Sear might be close). I have been collecting and studying for over 30 years, and consider myself a novice in many areas, and beginner in many more.

One nitpick. I do not see why publication is necessary to be considered an expert. I do not believe Curtis Clay at Harlan Berk has published, but he is a recognized expert in many areas of Roman coinage. Just being recognized by your peers should be enough.