Professional Numismatist Across DC, Maryland & Virginia

What a Numismatist Actually Does

A coin dealer buys and sells. A numismatist studies. The distinction matters when your collection includes anything more nuanced than common bullion. Variety attribution, die states, mint errors, original surfaces, original holders, provenance, these are the details that separate a $400 coin from a $4,000 coin. Spotting them requires more than a price guide.

Hunter Hicks is a working numismatist based in Falls Church, Virginia. That means he’s actively engaged in the academic and trade side of the hobby, not just the buying. He’s a member of the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild, attends major national shows, and stays current with the literature and price discovery on both common and esoteric material.

When You Need a Numismatist (Not Just a Coin Dealer)

• Inherited or original-owner collections built over decades, where the assembler clearly knew what they were doing, these usually contain pieces that need expert eyes.
• Older holders from PCGS, NGC, ANACS, or earlier services where the coin inside may grade differently today.
• Variety-rich series, Bust coinage, early copper, Morgan dollars (VAMs), Capped Bust halves, Liberty Seated coinage. A general dealer will miss the variety; a numismatist won’t.
• Type sets and proof sets where individual coins might be cherrypickable into a higher value than the set price.
• Anything unusual, tokens, medals, colonial coppers, foreign issues, errors. A numismatist knows when to investigate further and when to move on.