Here's a breakdown of its origin:
* "Nomisma" (Greek): This word literally meant "custom" or "usage," but it came to specifically refer to "coin" because coins were the standard currency and were therefore in common use.
* "Numisma" (Latin): The word was adopted into Latin as "numisma," retaining its meaning of "coin."
* "Numismatist" (English): The word "numismatist" emerged in English in the 18th century, derived from the Latin "numisma" and the suffix "-ist," which is commonly used to indicate a person who studies or is an expert in a particular field.
Therefore, a numismatist is someone who studies, collects, and/or researches coins.