Breen's Encyclopedia of Coins

Wondo

Does anyone else enjoy just flippin' pages and picking up tidbits on coins as much as I do? How much has changed in the past 10-15 years since the work was published? Can any of the current experts critique the pros and cons of the info in the book?

dlimb2

Wondo, that is a good question...

BillJones

Probably the most that has changed are Breen's comments on die varieites that did not get much press before the book was published. Some of the varieties that he claimed were rare have turned out to be not that scarce. That's realy normal because one of the best ways to find out if something really is rare is to say that it is and perhaps claim that it's worth a lot of money. People start looking after a while a lot of them come out of the woodwork, which proves that that the rarity statement was wrong, or they don't find any or very many and prove it was right.

Some of Breen's comments about the reason for the change from the No Drapery to the With Drapery sub types for the Liberty Seated coins were probably off-base. Breen did have personal problems, and those comments about the prudish attitudes of designers and mint officials were probably off base. My own view was that once the matrix dies for the No Drapery designs wore out, the art work on the replacements was simply inferior.

JrGMan2004

How much does Breens Encyclopedia cost?

Coinosaurus

OK, first let me say that if I was stuck on a desert island with one coin book, it would be Breen.

That said, whenever I have looked into something very closely, I have seen mistakes and possible fabrications in Breen. Most of the material in the book is unattributed as to source which makes much of it suspect. I'm pretty sure that if Breen were alive, he could tell us the source material for most everything in there, but we'll never know for sure, and that's the problem.

mozeppa

<< <i>How much does Breens Encyclopedia cost? >>



i just sold mine for $ 61.00 on ebay

it should have went for double that.

Wondo

My favorite dealer bought me one.

Can you say, SUCKER!!!!!

Stuart

Wondo: Please PM me the name of your dealer so that I can ask him to buy me a Breen Book also !!!

abuell

The book is a compilation of notes that Walter made over the course of some 40 years. Probably some 10-15% of the material is simply false. The real problem is determining what 10-15% that is.

coppercoins

I can only speak for the Lincoln cent information published therein. As with any guide it should be taken at face value for the time period it was published. With pretty much any variety listing more current information should be sought before taking Breen's guide as gospel. The book is far outdated and indeed does have a number of fabrications in it that simply aren't true. With that aside, it was a monumental task and quite an accomplishment considering nobody had ever nor has since made one book so comprehensive in nature, even with its flaws.

I'm neither for or against the book as long as the user is responsible in what they use it for. A number of sellers on eBay mention captions in Breen's Encyclopedia without using much more current and accurate guides that explain away what Breen listed that the seller is trying to make a buck on...as with everything, there are those who will use the mistakes in Breen's book to their advantage every chance they get. Basically, you don't learn how to fix engines on post-1990 Fords by reading an owner's manual from 1934. Historical references are just that - historical. They cannot be accurately used as "current" information. Since the book hasn't been updated since Breen's death, it continues to age, and continues to become more outdated with every passing year.

Trime

You can quibble about the details and the 10-15% of content that appears to be in error. You can note the personal weaknesses and the issues of morality in the author but... this book has had a great and positive impact on US numismatics. My copy is dog-eared from use ( and poor binding).

BillJones

Yes, I agree with your comments, trime, including the ones about the poor binding. Breen did attempt something no one else ever tried to do at that level of depth, and succeeded for the most part. All of the other guides that tried to do the same thing (Coin World Guide, the two editions of Taxay’s book among others) all were less complete and have had a shorter shelf life among collectors.

As for those who slam the book completely, I’ll quote the great opera tenor, Lucciano Poverotti, “Critics are like dogs who are always looking for an opportunity to pee on a monument.”

ColonialCoinUnion

The Breen Encyclopedia is frequently referenced by dealers who like to add the requisite 'called Very Rare by Breen' whenever its convenient, though not necessarily accurate.

Jamericon

You can usually purchase one from major sources for around $100 give or take a few.

dorkkarl

breen's is a MUST HAVE for the coin collector. you simply cannot be a serious student of the hobby w/out it.

that said, there are many inaccuracies, as you'd expect from this much volume of information.

but , as a "jumping off" point for research, breen's is invaluable. don't leave home w/out it!

K S

Rittenhouse

An OK book. Much of the "historical" info is Breen-isms and shouldn't be trusted. IMHO, of little use to the variety and early type specialtists who are better served by the specific texts. One Rittenhouse member commented that "rare" is the third most common word in the book.

However, the reason for the design change on the Seated coinage is pretty much on. The American minaturist Robert Ball Hughes (whose fame vastly exceeded his talent) hacked the designs on all but the half dollar, which Gobrecht did himself by cutting the drapery in the master die & raising new master hubs. The HD is thus the only denom to retain Gobrecht's original vision.

joeyuk

I am with dorkarl. Great ref. W/some pics. population numbers to old to rely on. And obviously only takes you into the 80's.

MICHAELDIXON

I bought mine when it first came out - Years ago. It was a great book for it's time, but his references to Rare, Very Rare, etc are outdated. I still use it, binding mess up and all. It is a book every collector should have and I highly recommend it.

Ogden

ldhair

It's a great book. Can't think of any book I have enjoyed more over the years.

BUT- I won't lay money down on a coin based on it alone.

It's a fine guide but an old one.

Elcontador

Agree w Michael Dixon & others in that it's a good comprehensive book of U.S. Coinage & a good place to start re U.S. numismatics. It's a good overview, but if you want specifics about a series, ie., details re how to tell a good from a weak strike, etc., you'll have to look elsewhere.

His comments re what is rare, should not be taken too seriously; ie., his comments re FH SLQs are a good case in point. Due to his personal problems, I feel a bit uncomfortable every time I pick up the book, but as an overall reference, you can't beat it.

Trime

Hey guys (and gals).
No one said this book should be the only one in a numismatist's library.
I, like many of you, have shelves of reference material. Each one serves a purpose and many are very specialized.
All that I want to say is there is no comprehensive text to compare with this book.
I suspect if Walter would be alive and had access to new material; he would have made a modern edition.
Maybe one of you should undertake to update the encyclopedia. It would be an immediate hit and generate enough money to pay for a lot of coins.

Rittenhouse

<< <i>I suspect if Walter would be alive and had access to new material; he would have made a modern edition. >>



Thank God for small favors.

Dave99B

I met Walter Breen at the ANA show in Seattle (1991?).

One odd fellow, tie-dyed shirt and all. A frigg’in walking/talking encyclopedia! The poor guy just wandered around all day as people chased him down asking "Walter, can you take a quick look at this.....".

I find his book a little dry, but I still enjoy it. Clearly not for the beginner.

Dave

coinkat

I bought my Breen book about 9-10 years ago and it was the best money I have ever spent on a coin book. I second what Dorkkarl said... don't leave home without it.

ConstellatioCollector

I enjoy the book and after perusing the book I realize just how far I am from completing my collection!!!

lordmarcovan

I enjoy looking at it from time to time. I got my copy for about eighty bucks from a forum member. I thought that was a pretty good price at the time, as full retail is well over $100. Mine came from our late and lamented Coinut, who passed on not long after I got the book from him. May he rest in peace and find rare treasures in the afterlife.