Here's a must reading book if you "invest" in coins.

DesertLizard

I have purchased more coin books in the last 2 days than in the last 20 years! The LB show has a bonanza of books not seen on Amazon or ebay. Lots of specialist stuff too. As a few posters have said, "Buy the book before the coin". So so so true! Do it once and you will do it all the time. Some careful reading will help you avoid some major mistakes.

I just finished reading Scott Travers book called "Top 88 Coins over $100" [retails $12]. Not at all a title I would have bought sight unseen. As a matter of fact it is a terrible title. But at the show I thumbed through it and lsaw some interesting tidbits. Never judge a book by the cover! For $12 I was not going to get hurt.

This is must reading for collectors starting out or investors / collectors. Nevermind what the top 88 are what is more important is the mindset of Mr. Travers. Here is a guy with decades of experience and you get to peek into his mind when it comes to collecting.

My disclaimer: I am not selling my copy on eBay. I do not know Mr. Travers. I do not sell coins books!

kranky

I'm a fan of Travers' books, and I have that one. I totally agree with you that the value is in the explanations, not the specific picks/pans he lists.

It occurs to me that if some of you already have all the books you need, then see what your local library is missing and consider buying a book or two to donate. You might help get someone new interested in the hobby and the "New books" section of the library tends to get a lot of attention from the patrons. Plus, you'll get a small tax deduction as a bonus.

I bet the darksiders do this all the time.

lordmarcovan

I like the book, too. I just reread it a few days ago. My wife said, "haven't you already read that?" I told her that some books are worth rereading over and over, and some are practically worth memorizing.

DesertLizard

Kranky,

You are a genius!

Buy and donate to the local library! I love it. There are a few coin books I have and no longer collect currency / world coins and will donate those too. If I ever want to refer again I can always go to the library.

You also gave me the idea of asking some book distributors to give me their surplus / out of date / seconds so I can distribute to the local libraries around here. Maybe others can do the same? My local library only has the usual Krause and Red Books.

Thanks for that great idea!

Bustman

I love that book as well. Often refer to it when making a large purchase to see what Scott may have to say about that particular coin.

robertpr

I have a book of his called "how to make money in coins right now". Cheezy title, and I only got it because it was in a bundle deal. It mainly focuses on crackouts, but it does have a good section on grading and lots of other useful information. Mr. Travers has graded for NGC and I believe also for PCGS.