Large Cents: Breen books vs. Sheldon book

Poseidon

Hi there, so I'm interested in large cent collecting, and I have a copy of Sheldon's Penny Whimsy. I would have liked to buy a set of Breen's two volumes on early large cents (1793-1814), but they're rather expensive. I was just curious as to what the Breen books have that Sheldon doesn't, and what I'm missing out on.

BillJones

First the Breen large cent book is in one volume, and I purchased mine for around $80. You might be thinking of the Noyes books which were in two volumes that covered the cent varieties from 1793 to 1839.

The Breen book is similar in layout to his half cent book. Each variety is illustrated with a large clear photo that is above the descriptions. That is a distinct improvement over the Sheldon books. The is condition census information that probably is better than that which was given in the half cent book. (At least there have been far fewer complaints!) There are new varieties and lots of neat stuff about the early days of the first US Mint.

Overall I’d say that this book is well worth it if you are interested in early coinage, and “must have” for anyone who collectors the early large cents by die variety. The only down side is that the book is too big to carry to shows.

Poseidon

I was in fact referring to the Noyes book, volume I.

MacCrimmon

Keep your eyes on eBay...sometimes Charles Davis will have just Volume 1 of the Noyes book
available. There is no contest between the Noyes book and the Sheldon book...Sheldon is a
non-starter!! and a criminal, albeit a dead one!!

The Noyes plates are 3" vs. 1" or less in the Sheldon books...no comparison.

I haven't reviewed the Breen book, but Noyes suffices quite well...Volume 1 can be obtained
as a stand-alone for about $100-110, maybe less Good luck.

MacC.

BillJones

I own the Noyes book also. It's a very good listing of the varieties with excellent photographs, but there is not much history there. You can more easily carry it to coin shows because it is a little lighter and not nearly as thick as the Breen book. If I were to own only one of them I'd take the Breen book, but I don't collect large cents by die variety, and my interests run more toward the historical aspects of the subject.

I believe that the Noyes books must now be purchased together at a fairly high price. I purchase mine when they first came out some years ago.

NumisEd

Sheldon's Penny Whimsy is a classic. Why is everyone calling Dr. Sheldon a thief? Any amount allegedly stolen by Dr. Sheldon pales in comparison to some of the large corporations of today have taken from consumers.

Penny Whimsy is well written, informative and sometimes entertaining. The closest modern comparison is John Wright's "The Cent Book" on middle date large cents. Wright's book is fabulous: well written, nice photography with huge images and super easy diagnostics. Breen's books often have a bit more depth than other similar volumes, but they also contain some strong opinions as opposed to facts.

If you can afford to have Noyes, Grellman, Wright, Noyes, Sheldon, Breen and Newcomb, then by all means fill up your library with 1 of each. No library can be too small, in my opinion.

Bear

Ed - You should be doing the book review for the times. Well said.

Conder101

One thing about the Noyes book. The pictures are much better and he covers more die states than Sheldon but the descriptive text that identifies the features of each die are lifted almost verbatum out of Sheldons Penny Whimsy. So the Noyes book is actually Penny Whimsy with better pictures. I can't say what Breens book is like, I've never opened my copy. I need to buy another copy so I'll have one I can use. (I purchased one of the deluxe editions pre-publication. When I took it to Mark to have him autograph it he was shocked to see it. He explained that of the 500 deluxe copies that were printed, 475 came in with glue smeared all over the covers and they all had to be sent back for rebinding. Only 25 copies with the original binding wre shipped out and mine was one of them. So I set it aside and never opened it. Now I need a working copy.)

BillJones

I agree with Numised. The Cent Book buy John Wright is just super. I'd recommend it to anyone who has interest in middle date large cents and political and numismatic history in general.

Rittenhouse

Guess I can only echo some of the comments already made.

IMHO, the Noyes book with it's better pictures, pick-up points and descriptions is superior to Breen or Sheldon for attribution.

The historical info in Breen is what sets it apart. But be aware that Breen's emission sequence is very controversial and many of the opinions in his book have been contradicted by later research. In fact, many of his opinions are contradicted by the footnote comments in the book. Also be aware that there are a couple photo mistakes in the Breen book (I think this was pointed out on another thread). It is, nonetheless, an excellent read.

If you're serious about early cents, I would buy both.