Artificial intelligence is transforming the way collectors research, organize and write about numismatics, offering new opportunities to speed up everything from auction catalogue preparation to historical investigations. But as the technology becomes more widely adopted, experts say it must be used responsibly and never as a substitute for careful scholarship.
During a recent NumismaTalks presentation hosted by the American Numismatic Association, Russ Bega of Harlan J. Berk Ltd. demonstrated how AI can streamline numismatic research while highlighting the importance of verifying every fact it produces. He described AI as a powerful research assistant rather than an authority on history or coins.
Among the highlights was Bega’s custom ChatGPT project, which uses trusted reference material uploaded directly into the system instead of relying on general internet searches. He also showed how AI can quickly analyze thousands of pages of historical documents, organize research notes and assist with proofreading and citations.
Bega emphasized that the quality of AI-generated information depends heavily on the instructions, or prompts, provided by the user. Well-crafted prompts can encourage the technology to identify gaps in research, suggest new archival sources and even challenge a researcher’s conclusions rather than simply reinforcing them.
Perhaps his most important takeaway was the “Three Source Rule” – never accept an AI-generated fact until it has been confirmed by a primary source or two independent, reliable sources. While AI can produce convincing answers, it is also capable of generating entirely fabricated information that appears credible.
The presentation offers practical guidance for collectors who want to incorporate artificial intelligence into their research while avoiding its biggest pitfalls, demonstrating how the technology can complement – but never replace – critical thinking and original source material.
Read the full feature, “AI meets numismatics: How collectors can harness AI while avoiding its biggest pitfalls,” by Diana Revelins in the latest issue of Canadian Coin News, available now in print and digital editions, along with the latest hobby news, market coverage and feature stories from across the numismatic world.