If you've ever picked up a shiny old coin from a flea market or scrolled through online auctions for vintage banknotes, you've dipped your toes into the fascinating world of numismatics. But what exactly are the terms numismatist, notaphilist, and exonumist? These words might sound like ancient spells, but they're key to understanding a hobby that's equal parts treasure hunt and scholarly pursuit. Here, we'll break them down, drawing on the core definition of numismatics as the study or collection of currency—including coins, tokens, paper money, medals, and related objects.

Numismatics: The Foundation of It All

At its heart, numismatics is both a passion and a discipline. Derived from the Greek nomisma (meaning "currency"), it encompasses the collection, study, and appreciation of monetary items. This includes everything from ancient Roman denarii to modern commemorative coins. Numismatists aren't just hoarders; they're historians piecing together economic, cultural, and artistic stories through the medium of metal and paper.

Numismatist: The Coin and Currency Connoisseur

A numismatist is anyone who studies or collects numismatic items. Think of them as the detectives of the coin world, using tools like magnifiers, catalogues and historical texts to authenticate and value pieces. Numismatists specialise in categories like ancient coins, South African coins, or world paper money. Whether you're a beginner sorting Union pennies (minted during the Union of South Africa era (1923–1960), featuring portraits of Kings George V, George VI, or Queen Elizabeth II) or a pro curating museum exhibits, being a numismatist means owning a slice of history.

Notaphilist: The Paper Money Specialist

A notaphilist focuses on notaphily, the numismatic subset dedicated to paper currency, including banknotes, bonds, and scrip. From tattered Union of South Africa £1 notes to crisp Mandela R200 notes, notaphilists chase stories printed on pulp. Why paper? It's fragile and fleeting, making pristine examples rare gems. A notaphilist might obsess over watermarks, serial numbers, or vignettes depicting presidents and allegories. The hobby boomed post-WWII with global decolonisation flooding markets with exotic notes.

Exonumist: Beyond the Bounds of Money

Enter the exonumist, master of exonumia—numismatics' wild child. This particular category refers to the study and collection of coin-like objects such as tokens, medals, and other items not used as currency. These 'paranumismatics' include military medals (eg, WWII Africa Star, North African Campaign, SA troops in El Alamein), commemorative medals (eg, South Africa Voortrekker Monument/Pretoria Medal, 1936 Johannesburg Empire Exhibition medal), and commemorative badges (eg, South Africa Voortrekker Eufees 1938/Sterling Silver Pin Badge). They're not legal tender but mimic coins in form and function. Collectors catalogue them using resources, blending history with whimsy—like Victorian love tokens engraved with sweet nothings. It's the ultimate bridge: Exonumists uncover Boer War (eg, Oupa’s medals) and Springbok triumphs (e.g., the 1995 Rugby World Cup badge) coins alone miss.

Why Get Started in Numismatics?

These terms—numismatist, notaphilist, exonumist—aren't jargon; they're invitations to a global community of over 30,000 active collectors (per American Numismatic Association stats). Start at home: ask your family what they have tucked away. Once the bug has bitten, move on to vintage fairs, flea markets, or dedicated coin shows. You'll bridge hobby and history, perhaps even unearth a treasure. Numismatics unites us all. Whether you're a numismatist stacking Krugerrands, a notaphilist framing Union £1 notes, or an exonumist hoarding military medals, you're preserving humanity's ledger. Ready to join? Your first 'find' awaits.