Coin Collector Career Opportunities

John is correct.

I have relocated this and changed the topic title.

To all who care to read and respond, I am a collector, as we all are, and I want to lead a career of helping others collect. I dont know of any jobs for collectors out there that are not start up businesses. I cannot afford to create my own job. I want to start by helping someone who already has a business. Where can I seek these positions?

I don't know about shops never hiring a collector to work for them, my local shop shop actually pays the person who helps there in coins because he is also a collector. Another option besides a coin shop would be a pawn shop, some of them bring in a lot of coins without having anyone with experience able to look them over. So you might be able to get in there with some expertise. That being said, it is highly unlikely that you would get into either of those positions just because of demand and you usually need to have a pretty good relationship with them in order for them to trust you with the goods. So my suggestion would be to start out with some of your own projects and to build your name. You may not want to start a full business, but I imagine that one of the best ways to build ties with dealers in the area and establish yourself would be to buy a table at a local coin show and start chatting them up as fellow dealers. Another thing to consider building yourself up to a career for a coin collector is to start writing. Start a blog and write articles, research bits of history surrounding coins, and get your name out there. It will open other potential doors for careers and show that you are dedicated to the hobby rather than just someone walking off the street.

I would say that these are just common sense suggestions for anyone trying to get into a niche job market. I am sure other people on here who actually have jobs related to coin collecting can give more specific advice.

Taking some courses taught by graders would probably help too. Anything you can do to build your resume. A local store may be more likely to take you under their wing if you know them, but if youre hoping to work for any of the heavy hitters youll have to have an established name or proof that you know what youre doing. Even then it likely wont be the easiest thing to break into.

Working in a coin shop would be a dream.......but I'd never be able to. I would never be able to sell any coins, I'd want them all for my collection lol.