What is your favorite coin book?

DesertLizard

Ok, probably many will say: Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of U.S. Coins, but there is life after that "bible".

Maybe something obscure or very specific to one series. I learned about colonial coins from a fellow that gave me a book on them [Colonial Coinage of Vermont by Milton Shephard]. It had a wealth of historical information and got me to start collecting colonial coins.

As the saying goes....read the book before buying the coin.... So true.

DHeath

I have really enjoyed "The Kennedy Half Dollar Book" by Dr.Wiles.

cacheman

"Numismatic Art in America" Aesthetics of the United States Coinage, by Cornelius Vermeule

Obscure enough for you?

Read this and you'll never want to look at another modern.....heh-heh

mbbiker

The cherrypickers guide by Bill Fivaz and J.T. Stanton. Without that book i wouldn't be able to afford the coins i can now. By far one of the best investments i ever made

P.S. I had Bill, and J.T sign my book so it means even more to me now

its4real

The only one I have so far...

2003 North American Coins and Prices

No wonder I am such an idiot

Kejun99

When it comes to reading enjoyment my numis passtime is enveloped in the two periodicals, CoinWorld and Numismatic News ! I so look forward to them everyweek with their varied articles and the current news events impacting the Coin Community both for the Dealers and Collectors... I find it emmensely interesting and almost in a serial development from some articles like Ray Sidman's evolving exposure of the mintages and sales of the current hot items... like a soap !
As for source stuff, Alan Herbert is a favorite, Russ Rulau, Walter Breen, Mr Swaitek, Fivaz and Stanton, Newcomb, Sheldon, Bowers, Travers and others,,, So much of the variety of the field interests me that I never am bored... Ken

abuell

The Early Coins of America by Sylvester Sage Crosby - The bible of American colonial coinage.

spinaker2000

I use the Redbook the most, but would like to get a specialized book on Large cents and half cents.

Trime

There is no single favorite. I spend hours in my library. Some favorites are :
US Patterns... Pollock
Gobrecht Journals (bound volumes)
The United States Half Dimes ...Valentine
The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Dimes...Greer
The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dimes... Blyth
Coin Collectors Survival Manual ...Travers
and most often looked at .. Encyclopedia.... Breen.

On any given night and a given special coin, the choices for reading would be different than the above.
I emphasize that a good library is a must for full appreciation of the wonderful world of coins.

dragon

US Gold Coins, An Illustrated History...........by Dave Bowers

The color photos are superb, the information excellent, and lots of history about famous collections, the mint, landmark auctions, St. Gaudens, etc.

If you have even the slightest interest in US gold, this book is a must have. Even if you have no interest in gold coins, it's still a must have, it's THAT good!

Dragon

DHeath

The one I'm looking for is Willem's "Trade Dollars", credit to Shiro for the recommendation.

nucklehead

Can't say I have one favorite but I probably favor Scott Travers books over all.

michael

for me dickersons 1860 coin collectors manual of usa coins

sincerely michael

and the little known manual of trade dollars and chopmarks by len babin a coin dealer here in rochester ny in the 1930's to 1980

also the crosby book on early american coinage

and breens book the smaller one on usa federal proof coinage coniers cavier