Looking for a good book on gold rush coinage

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BenV
BenV Posts: 69 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

Grew up in the California gold country, and just picked up my first piece of early San Francisco gold! I've definitely been bitten by the gold rush bug- does anyone have recommendations on good books to read regarding the gold rush? Specifically books regarding private minters, or early San Francisco mint would be ideal.

Here's my new purchase, a well worn 1857-S quarter eagle from David Lawrence.

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  • fluffy155
    fluffy155 Posts: 299 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I remember reading Kagin's book in the late 80s, it was enjoyable and informative. It's 40 years old at this point so I'm sure there's a better one out there but here it is for reference: https://amazon.com/Private-Coins-Patterns-United-States/dp/0668048301

  • 1northcoin
    1northcoin Posts: 5,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 21, 2021 9:34PM
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    Q. David Bowers tome would fit the bill.

  • BenV
    BenV Posts: 69 ✭✭✭
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    @1northcoin said:
    Q. David Bowers tome would fit the bill.

    Wow, you weren't kidding... was it ever printed in paperback?

  • CaptHenway
    CaptHenway Posts: 34,175 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The Bowers book has everything. I have no idea what it sells for these days.

    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
  • 1northcoin
    1northcoin Posts: 5,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 21, 2021 9:38PM
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    Here is the book as above referenced. I doubt it would hold together in paperback as it totals 1,055 pages, hence my initial reference to "tome."

    Q. David Bowers tome would fit the bill.

  • tommy44
    tommy44 Posts: 2,347 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice start on your S mint gold quest. That 57-S could give you lots of history if it could talk. I like it a lot.

    it's crackers to slip a rozzer the dropsy in snide

  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I have the Q. David Bowers book 'A California Gold Rush History', signed by Mr. Bowers as well. Great book indeed, everything you could imagine is covered. I am not an autograph collector, but I do 'treasure' this one. Cheers, RickO

  • SethChandler
    SethChandler Posts: 1,722 ✭✭✭✭
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    The Bowers Book is the best.
    I love gold country. I have a house in Placerville.

    Collecting since 1976.
  • FrankH
    FrankH Posts: 982 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    A very VERY good book

    https://www.amazon.com/World-Rushed-California-Gold-Experience/dp/080613464X

    Not for the coinage but an amazing account of the cross country gold rush itself. It's a first hand account like a diary.

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