The United States Early Silver Dollars book by Reiver

Rampage

Is the subject book a good one to have? Anyon want to comment on it?

Thanks, Richard.

numobri

I think for the money,It's a good book.

The Bowers book is a great book to own but,cost LOTS more,more detailed.

Another good cheap book is the"Bolender"book,It's a little out of date(1950).

Cardinal has "An Introduction To Early Dollars" book that helps you ID the major varieties.

I think that Cardinal and Bowers are working on a new book that should be on the market some time this year.

Brian

BillJones

Yes, the Reiver book is an excellent buy for the price. The two Bowers books are very expensive (I sold my last set for more than $400), but they are worth it if you are really interested and have a nice dollar collection.

On a personal note, the late Jules Reiver was wonderful collector and a fine man. He is greatly missed by those of us who knew him. He was one of the few collectors I have met who collected ALL of the early coins by die variety. That is an unbelievable task.

EVillageProwler

I like the Reiver book, but I have two caveats to share:

1. Some of the plates he uses is not of the actual coin. For example, he'll use the reverse from a different coin (that shares the same reverse die) if that die marriage is particularly rare. Thus, you may find yourself comparing different die states.

2. His rarity estimates is sometimes different from the JRCS ratings. The former is based more on anecdotal evidence, while the latter is based more on census and extrapolation as well as anecdotal evidence. Do not presume that the Reiver estimates are necessarily wrong simply because they differ from the JRCS data. (And, do not presume correctness if they agree.) THESE ARE ESTIMATES, AND HIGHLY NON-SCIENTIFIC.

EVP

cardinal

I concur with EVP's assessment. The Reiver book is very useful, but EVP is right on with his caveats.

For me, the most bothersome is where the obverse and reverse images are NOT from the same coin. In particular, multiple 1799 dollars share the same reverse die. As a result of progressive lapping of the die, the berries on the reverse start out large, become smaller, and then disappear altogether. Consequently, two die varieties display what is called the "no berries" reverse. In the Reiver book, these varieties are described as having no berries, but the image used for the reverse is from a different coin and shows the berries very clearly.

As numobri mentioned, Dave Bowers and I are completing a new book on the subject, with a planned release this spring. This book will combine Dave's extensive research with my own, and will be a greatly updated and expanded treatment of the subject. Included will be images and diagnostics of every variety, an updated condition census, and new rapid attribution guides (including an electronic version perfect for laptops). Since the initial announcement of the project was made, we have received many comments with new information to include in the book -- including rare, early die state specimens, historical data on designers and engravers, even the identity (and picture) of the woman who modeled for the original flowing hair design. Work is proceding vigorously on this, and further announcements will be coming out soon.

--Cardinal