Need coin book advice!

D · February 3, 2005 1:35AM

Well, my collection of books on coins is pretty small, I'm curious what books long time collectors would recommend

.

-Daniel

JrGMan2004 · February 3, 2005 1:37AM

The Red Book if you don't have it... many would recommend Breen Encyclopedia, though I don't have it, it's too expensive... there's a few other general books that would probally be useful too...

What coins do you like to collect? This will greatly influence what other books might be interesting for you

Like, Overton's book if you like Bust Halves, or Penny Whimsy for Large Cents...

vega1 · February 3, 2005 1:59AM

JrGMan is right, get Breens encyclodpedia of US Coins if you don't already have it as a general referrence. Its big and expensive (~$90-$100?) but its worth every penny IMO. Some of the information has been proven to suspect/Breen's opinion now after years of review, however its loaded with good info and interesting reading for a coin geek. The plot is a little weak and characters under-developed when compared to some of the better Crichton novels, but the surprise ending makes it worth it!

Prethen · February 3, 2005 2:14AM

A really, really good book is PCGS's Grading and Counterfeit Detection book (2nd edition). You may also want the ANA Grading Standards book. Both are fairly inexpensive ($12-$20, I think).

mr1931S · February 3, 2005 2:16AM

The PCGS book, "Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection," is very good and only 20 bucks.

Longacre · February 3, 2005 2:21AM

The Red Book for now (the Breen encyclopedia is very expensive). For historical background, anything by Q. David Bowers. Also, depending on what series you decide to collect, there are a lot of specialty books as well.

RYK · February 3, 2005 2:44AM

This will go against the conventional wisdom, but I think the Breen book is over-rated.

kranky · February 3, 2005 4:24AM

I respectfully disagree with my colleague RYK about the Breen book. Certainly it has errors and claims certain things to be fact when it's just Breen's opinion (as vega1 said), but overall it's a good book. Many photos of varieties and lots of interesting text. I still recommend it for someone who doesn't have much of a numismatic library. A Red Book is a must.

With regards to the PCGS grading book, I've heard some people say the 1st edition was better and had more information.

I'm sure people get tired of hearing it from me, but I like to recommend Scott Travers' "Coin Collector's Survival Manual" as well.

And you'll surely want a book about the specific series you are working on.

My books have greatly enhanced my enjoyment of my coins and just by having a good library (assuming you'll read the books you buy!) you will be a better collector.

DaveG · February 3, 2005 9:52AM

You should definitely start with Scott Travers' "Coin Collector's Survival Manual."

After that, you may want a Red Book or "The Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of US Coins" by the Editors of Coin World (it's a few years old, but has a bit more text than the Red Book, as well as patterns) or Krause's "North American Coins & Prices" if you also have an interest in Canadian or Mexican coins.

Breen has a wealth of deail in his book - it's worth the money.

You might also want to subscribe to Coin World.

After that, there are a ton of books about specific series of coins - get the ones on your favorites!

ColonialCoinUnion · February 3, 2005 9:59AM

<< <i>This will go against the conventional wisdom, but I think the Breen book is over-rated. >>

It is probably over-rated, and a lot of the research in it ranges from slightly-inaccurate to later-proved-wrong to utter nonsense. On the other hand, it is extremely thick and filled with photographs of coins.

I have one and use it often as the colonial section was pretty extensive compared to any other available resource.

Did I mention that I met Breen as a kid? I did.

RYK · February 3, 2005 10:28AM

Let me expand on my answer, and why I said what I said re: over-rated.

In my area of interest, there are more up-to-date and thorough references. Were this not the case, I might think more highly of the Breen Encyclopedia. Like all encyclopedias, the information is superficial and poorly referenced.

OT, but do kids today even know what an encyclopedia is? The internet is one big encyclopedia.

mr1931S · February 3, 2005 11:14AM

re the Breen encyclopedia. This is one book I don't have. I confess that I did photocopy some pages of it at my local library a few years ago.

pharmer · February 3, 2005 12:11PM

Whenever I want general info about an area that is new for me, Breen comes out first. Right now it's 50c commems. When I begin needing in-depth info, like with Lincoln rpm's and doubled dies, I have to search for other references, and that's a good thing. As mentioned, Breen is broad, and can get in-depth in certain areas, and his opinionated style can be fun reading.

D · February 3, 2005 12:13PM

The coins I'm currently interested in are Franklin Halves and commems from 1893-1954. As well as Quarter and 5$ Indians. (10$ ones are far too steep for my paychecks

).

-Daniel

golddustin · February 3, 2005 12:34PM

Not only is Breen enjoyable reading (part fact, part opinion) but it is a very impressive "coffe table" book - and can get a conversation started with a non-collector that may lead to another among our ranks.

met him as a kid, eh?...wasn't his fall from grace related to something along

PutTogether · February 3, 2005 6:23PM

"100 Greatest US Coins"

It's a big coffe table book, its freakin gorgeous, and it makes you unable to keep your own saliva from leaking out of your mouth.

michael · February 3, 2005 11:47PM

openyour pm daniel and private message me with your address i will have a brand bew early commem book sent to you from harry laibstein

michael

shirohniichan · February 3, 2005 11:50PM

Try Silver and Gold Commemorative Coins by Breen and Swiatek since it deals with one of your interests. It has a lot of useful info in it.

I'd also recommend Standard Catalog of World Coins by Krause. There's a lot more to collecting than what will fit into Whitman folders!

kranky · February 4, 2005 1:15AM

<< <i>openyour pm daniel and private message me with your address i will have a brand bew early commem book sent to you from harry laibstein

michael >>

Way to go, michael! Daniel gets a free book!

seanq · February 4, 2005 1:47AM

<< <i>
Did I mention that I met Breen as a kid? I did. >>

Did he give you any tips?

Sean Reynolds

D · February 4, 2005 6:22AM

Thanks Michael, I sent you two PMs since I messed up on the first!

-Daniel

lordmarcovan · February 4, 2005 8:11AM

<< <i>You should definitely start with Scott Travers' "Coin Collector's Survival Manual." >>

Absolutely- that is a very excellent book. I read it after 20+ years in the hobby and still learned a thing or two. I had the opportunity to attend a workshop that Travers gave at one of the FUN shows, and it was entertaining. Travers has written a bunch of excellent numismatic books.

The Red Book is essential if you're gonna play with US coins; the Krause Standard Catalog if you're gonna play with world coins. Krause also includes all the US coins, so you get it all under one cover. The Krause is like a big telephone book, though. Big and thick, and a little pricey, unless you get a copy that's a few years old (which is perfectly OK to do).

A grading guide like the ANA Grading Standards guide and/or a copy of Photograde should be on everybody's shelf. But I actually learned more by memorizing the grading standards in the Krause world coin book (which are general and can be applied to all coins). Learning world coins made me wiser about US coins.

The Breen Encyclopedia mentioned above is good for in-depth information you wouldn't get in more general references like the Redbook.

Need coin book advice!

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