THE FIRST WORD

numismatics

PRONUNCIATION:

(noo-miz-MAT-iks, -mis-, nyoo-) 

MEANING:

noun: The study or collection of currency: coins, notes, and sometimes similar objects, such as medals.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin numisma (coin, currency), from Greek nomisma (current coin, custom), from nomos (custom). Ultimately from the Indo-European root nem- (to assign or take), which is also the source for words such as number, numb, nomad, metronome, astronomy, nemesis, and anomie. Earliest documented use: 1790. Also see notaphily.

USAGE:

"Ron Paul was the middle of five boys and the only one to become fascinated with numismatics. He knew that certain pennies were worth more than their face value because few of them had been minted."
Joel Achenbach; The Alternative; The Washington Post; Dec 15, 2011.