Numismatist

When I was a kid I heard the word Numismatist, a fancy word for a coin collector.

Something about the word always nagged me.

It sounds so much like it should have something to do with numbers!

The other day I looked up the etymology of Numismatist and Number.

And I found out why.

'Number' and 'Numismatist' are from the same Proto-Indo-European root!

'Nem-', meaning 'Assign', became the root for the Latin 'Numerus', hence 'Number'.

It also became the Greek 'Nomos' for something assigned by law- and thus for money.

And thus the Greek 'Nomos', a common Greek coin and the common ancient Greek word for money.

And from 'Nomos', 'Numismatist'.

And that is why 'Numismatist' makes me think of numbers!

God loves you!

Sincerely,

David S. Annderson