Question re: Breen Encyclopedia

RYK

I am ashamed to say that I do not own a copy.

I wanted to know if the information from the Hewitt gold monographs (of which I own several) is included in its entirety in the Encyclopdia of US and Colonial Coins.

Pistareen

No Breen Encyclopedia? For shame!

The Breen encyclopedia does not include all of the die varieties that are mentioned in the monographs, nor the diagnostics for particular dies, nor the incredibly outdated rarity and Condition Census information. QDB once told me his favorite part of the Breen monographs was the entry for 1859-D gold dollars that said there was 3 or 4 known!

For early gold $2.50 and $5 varieties, the monographs are still the only real source, aside from the Bass collection catalogues + sylloge (+ the Smithsonian sylloge by Gilliland for the photo of the unique 1797 perfect date half eagle they have). For $10s, there is also Taraszka.

The next $75 from your numismatic budget you spend will be for a copy of the Encyclopedia, right?

RYK

The next $75 from your numismatic budget you spend will be for a copy of the Encyclopedia, right?

Actually, John, after reading your post, the next $75 (or so) should go to buy the Bass Sylloge from ANR, right? And the next $75 for the Breen.

Thanks, Robert

Coinosaurus

They're both important books. Buy 'em both, but buy Breen first.

coinguy89

I've got one that should be on its way in a week or so.

keets

al h.

mrearlygold

Nah, Robert, buy them both.

You can't afford not to.

Tom