numismatist
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of numismatist
1790–1800; < Latin numismat- (stem of numisma ) coin + -ist
Explanation
The person who looks closely at every penny might not be cheap — he might be a numismatist, a coin collector, looking for old or rare coins that somehow got into the mix. This word literally means "someone who studies coins." These aren't the coins you have in your pocket right now. Instead, a numismatist studies and collects coins from other places and time periods. The word comes from the Latin word numisma, meaning "coin, currency." The word numismatist was coined — no pun intended! — in 1799.
Vocabulary lists containing numismatist
100 SAT Words Beginning with "N"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for January 15–January 21, 2022
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Not far away, among Park Avenue’s art galleries and auction houses, Greg Cohen, senior numismatist at Stack’s Bowers Galleries, said there have been a lot more sellers than buyers coming through the coin dealer’s door.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 9, 2025
According to numismatist Dr Adrian Marsden, "the coins themselves aren't common; pierced ones even less so."
From BBC • Jan. 16, 2022
Inside that, under old coins and a numismatist pamphlet, lay the 240-year-old diary of sailor John Claypoole, a Revolutionary War prisoner of war and later the third husband of the flagmaker known as Betsy Ross.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 12, 2021
He is a numismatist - says so on his business cards - which he describes as someone who takes the hobby more passionately than a standard collector.
From Washington Times • Jan. 14, 2017
He was for many years head of the extensive paper manufactory of Messrs John Dickinson at Nash Mills, Hemel Hempstead, but was especially distinguished as an antiquary and numismatist.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1 "Evangelical Church Conference" to "Fairbairn, Sir William" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
