U.S. Gold Type Coin Books ? for a Newbie. . .

Agflyer

Hello all,
I'm one of those lurk-but-don't-post types who wants to come out and say thanks for all the valuable info. and some of the less valuable (what rhymes with Nantuket. . ).

I've been a collector for about 15 years, collecting anything from both sides (light & dark) that was inexpensive, but looked neat. I decided recently to start focussing my collection towards a U.S. major design gold type set (20th century). I put the money together for a $5 Indian PCGS MS64, but have felt fairly convicted that I need to buy the book before I buy any coins. I'll get the Breen Encyclopedia, but which others would you guys recommend? Bowers seems fairly popular around here.

I like the idea of purchasing more common date, prettier coins. At least if it's a pretty coin then non- collectors seem to pay it a little more attention! Anyways, I thank you guys again for your insight and advice and I promise not to simply lurk any longer. Oh, by the way, are their any other pilots out there? I'm assuming there are due to the aviation related icons, but I thought I'd ask. . .

lordmarcovan

Hi, agflyer. I'm pleased to be the first to welcome you.

I like Scott Travers' The Coin Collector's Survival Manual a lot. A good read. And the PCGS Guide. Breen, despite his personal issues, was a numismatic genius and I am glad to have his Complete Encyclopedia.

Nice to see another lurker come into the light.

You're public, now. There's no goin' back.

20th Century Major Design, eh? I'm #6. I was #4 for about a day and a half, before some big whales jumped into the pond and shut me out of the top slots for good.

You have a $5 Injun in 64? Maybe you shouldn't register on that set.

In fact, I think it would be a very bad idea.

I only just upgraded mine to 63.

Agflyer

I'm sorry, I didn't mean that I had the $5 Indian, just the money (barely - I've been looking at Rarcoa ) and the overwhelming desire. I keep telling my self to keep a level head and do some reading before I make any more purchases. I do have several $20 Saints (PCGS 1915-S in MS63 & 64 and a 1907 in 63). At one point I thought that I would put together a Saint set, but I came to my senses and decided to do the type set instead. I'm just not that interested in having too many of the same coin, not to mention the finances! More likely I'll start out at the 62-63 level and work my way up from there. . .

lordmarcovan

I got my $5 Indian (both the MS62 and MS63, and a few others) from Rarcoa. They've always done good by me.

I have a PCGS MS62 for sale, if you're interested, though that probably won't tempt you if you have your sights set on a 64. Good luck!

I am upgrading my set from 62 to 63, and have everything but the first three Liberty coins, so I will have several 62's for sale as I upgrade.

You can see the Indians in this thread. But feel free to ignore my prices. I'm a little hard up for cash at the moment and will listen to any (reasonable) offers on any of the coins. They were offered as a 3-pc mini- type set, but need not sell that way.

You are wise to choose type collecting over date collecting. It is much more interesting, and diversifying your coin holdings can be as good a strategy as diversifying your stock portfolio, I suppose.

Whoever you get 'em from, I wish you luck. See you on the Major Design set!

PS- you should go into your profile and activate Private Messages. Not so I can spam you to death about the gold I have for sale (I just did that, heheh), but for your own convenience.

Agflyer

Nice coins. I have to admit, indian gold sure sit in a class by themselves! I'll pm you on your offer.

right-ee-yo! Send away. . .