Darkside Newbie

OldFlatfoot

Well, I've recently acquired a hoard or cache of foriegn coins. Too many to mention specifically. Since I know nothing about numismatics, I bought a copy of the Blackbook World Price Guide To World Coins. Is this reference competent? Are there better references for a beginner? It shows "Average Buy Price" and "Average Fine", seems a bit broad for evaluation.

Maybe it is beginners luck, but I bought this cache for a very modest price. I have only researched some UK Victorian era, Spanish Franco era and some German Reich pieces, less than 5% of the cache, and I'm already up about $40....if I'm reading this reference correctly. Also, can someone suggest an online collectors supplier for the display cases (?) and conservation of these many different (about 25 countries in all) sized and shaped coins? Thank you kindly.

ajaan

The bible for World coins is Krause's Standard Catalog of World Coins which can be found in most public libraries. Another option is to pick up a used one. A new one will cost about $50.

Conservation will cost about $20/coin. Unless the coin is valuable, not really practical IMO.

Also, where are you located? A local dealer may be helpful.

Oh BTW, welcome to the darkside

OldFlatfoot

I apologize for my ignorance, but I meant the coin holders used to display and conserve their present state...not having them sent to a conservator. I'm in upstate NY, near Binghamton. Thanks!

TwoKopeiki

to the Darkside. If you have any questions about any particular coin - don't hesitate to post here.

~Roman

OldFlatfoot

Thanks. So far I'm slugging along, but really wonder about the rather vague pricing in the Blackbook. Photos are pretty awful, low resolution B&W, but so far no stumpers. I have a very long way to go though. Appreciate the welcome. I imagine $50 for Krause's is well worth it?

TwoKopeiki

<< <i>I apologize for my ignorance, but I meant the coin holders used to display and conserve their present state...not having them sent to a conservator. I'm in upstate NY, near Binghamton. Thanks! >>



Do you have Barnes&Noble bookstores near where you live? In the "Hobbies" section they have lots of U.S. albums, but some stores carry a large, green, "Portfolio Collection" album with standard, 2x2, windows. It also comes with 100 flips, made out of safe material, to put your coins in. Great starter album.

If they don't have it - check at the register if they can order it from another store.

Cheers!

~Roman

IstilllikeZARcoins

to the Darkside.

TwoKopeiki

The folder I mentioned above is by Littleton and it looks like THIS.

Preussen

- Preussen

worldcoinguy

Welcome!

lordmarcovan

<< <i>I bought a copy of the Blackbook World Price Guide To World Coins. Is this reference competent? Are there better references for a beginner? It shows "Average Buy Price" and "Average Fine", seems a bit broad for evaluation. >>

Sure, there are better references: the Krause Standard Catalogs, as mentioned by others. However, the Blackbook is fine for a general reference, for beginners. As you have noticed, it is far too generalized and broad to be of much use as a pricing reference. Still, it's better than nothing, until you graduate to the much-larger (but more expensive) Krause catalogs.



<< <i>Maybe it is beginners luck, but I bought this cache for a very modest price. >>

Cherrypicking Darkside is a fun game, and you will find MUCH more bang for your buck here than you would in Liteside bulk lots.

Anytime you are getting 19th century and older stuff in the mix, the fun goes up. Of course, a very large percentage of most 19th century bulk lot finds are going to be low-grade Victorian bronze halfpennies and pennies, French 5- and 10-centime pieces of Napoleon III (usually in abysmally low grade), and Italian 5- and 10-centesimi pieces of the same era (likewise in abysmally low grade, but also usually dented to hellandback).

As to the Franco stuff, I seem to find it in EVERY lot. They must've really cranked it out. Your Blackbook tells you how to spot the "secret" date on these, I assume?

Welcome! By arming yourself with a book (even a generalized, incomplete reference), you have taken a strong first step. When you graduate to the Krause catalogs, you'll have the keys to the kingdom, and a rich and exciting kingdom full of adventures it is!



<< <i>I imagine $50 for Krause's is well worth it? >>

Absolutely. Despite the post-2003 new-format Krause books having many errors and omissions, it is still THE reference to have. Pick up a volume or volumes that is a few years old- you can save some bucks that way. The prices don't fluctuate that much.

laurentyvan

I bought the Blackbook several years ago-it's crap, don't buy it!

Poor images, not enough references, buy the Krause!!

And if you don't want to buy it, go to the library or ask for current Krause references and we'll answer you.

Ed to add: you have taken a strong first step Take a stronger 1st step and see if there's a used Krause around in the century you're interested in- you'll eventually spend the money anyhow and you'll be better off for the future!