What Books should a newbie read?

radu43

Just started collecting and have many questions.
Like what books are good to read before you buy the 100$ coin that is 1$ worth.

Thank you for your time

kamehameha00

I recommend getting a Redbook, which can be had for about $15, sometimes less at major bookstores and coin shops and shows. Another good book is Photograde, which is used as a guide to grade coins and has a picture of almost all U.S. coins in different conditions.

relayer

Start with a REDBOOK and get familiar with all of the US issued coins (put dont' pay any attention to the prices).

You can also buy the PCGS "Offical Guide to Grading and Counterfeit Detection" for lots of good information.

Once you get into a series, there are many more good books dedicated to them.

richbeat

The red book ("A Guide Book of United States Coins," by R.S. Yeoman, edited by Kenneth Bressett) 2005 edition, would be a good starter book. Libraries have them too, I think. The values listed I wouldn't take too seriously, just use them as a general guideline as to what's high value and what's not. Mainly use the red book to point you in a direction of interest. Once you know kind of what you want to collect, then you can go on to books specific to that area of interest (and a bit more pricey, too.) Most books are well worth the price for the knowledge you gain from them. Learn as much as you can, very important. Good luck and welcome aboard!

nwcs

The redbook and either photograde or the ANA grading standards book. All are generally available at most bookstores. Also pick up a coins magazine or coinvalues now and then till you get your sea legs. Interesting articles and you can start getting familiar with how pricing works in coins.

kamehameha00

<< <i>Libraries have them too, I think. >>



They do, but they're usually at least five years old. On a side note, last year I saw a 1947 Red Book (second printing) in a library, I offered them $20 for it, and they said I could have it for free I got $300 for it at a coin show

susanlynn9

Well, obviously The Red Book - we all agree on that. Are you also collecting World Coins? If you are, the Krause catalogue is a must. It's pricey new, but you should be able to find it at a reasonable price used. Other books you might need depend on what you are collecting. There are a lot of targeted, specialized books out there.

richbeat

Drift:

Dang!!! Talk about being in the right place at the right time. I didn't know they kept them that far back.

bigtonydallas

Also the book "Photograde" as this will help you grade circulated coins.

DaveG

"Coin Collector's Survival Manual" by Scott Travers is the book I wish I had read first before I got back into coin collecting.

It tells you how to go about being a coin collector - tips on buying, selling, grading, numismatic periodicals, etc.

After that, a Red Book or a similar book that lists all US coins (or one of the Krause catalogs if you're collecting world coins) and a copy of Photograde or the ANA Grading standards (if you're collecting circulated US coins) should be next.

After that, there will probably be specialized books on just about any coin series you might be interested in: silver dollars, Barber quarters, etc.

BowTieCoins

Katrina

UncleWiggly

Another great place to get info: While you're surfing coin dealer's websiteswww.coinsheetlinks.com you'll notice some offer free weekly, monthly etc market reports. Ellesmere Numismatics and American Gold Exchange are 2 that come to mind.


Jerry

GoldCoinLover

<< <i>Another great place to get info: While you're surfing coin dealer's websiteswww.coinsheetlinks.com you'll notice some offer free weekly, monthly etc market reports. Ellesmere Numismatics and American Gold Exchange are 2 that come to mind.


Jerry >>




PCGS Guide to Coin grading and counter detection is my favorite book, and it's the best IMO. Also you could try Coins For Dummies, by Ron Guth (Primarily for beginners)..

mrearlygold

Agreed that the red book is a must. Then get Breens encyclopedia. Then keep checking prices realized.

Rgrds
Tom

DesertRat

I have to say that although I am not even halfway through it yet I would highly recommend "Looking Through Lincoln Cents" by Charles D. Daughtrey...AKA coppercoins. Best book yet I have read on coins!

coinguy89

Redbook, Coin Collectors Survival Manual, Coin Collecting for Dummies, and subscribe to Coin magazine. That should do it, for a beginner.