QDB's new Lincoln Cent book -- my review
droopyd
Posts: 5,381 ✭✭✭
Just got it today, have looked through it some, here are my first impressions as an advanced intermediate collector of the series:
-- Some good pointers on striking and planchet characteristics by date and mintmark, especially in the pre-1934 dates. Very useful and a good supplement to material already in existence. Also a good description of the minting process generally (including matte and brilliant proofs) and how it translates to the Lincoln series specifically.
-- Also some good tips on how to be a "wise buyer" of Lincoln cents, with an emphasis on strike, color, spotting and eye appeal, as well as detecting doctored coins.
The above two features justify the modest cost of this book. However, there are some points that "need improvement":
-- Lots of information on the introduction of the Lincoln cent in 1909 and subsequent design/alloy changes. Interesting stories, but nothing we haven't seen before.
-- Grading section is deficient. I had hoped for more series-specific detail on grading especially in MS grades and the "in-between" circ grades. More photos here would be helpful.
-- Photos are in color (good!) but generally way too small to be of much use. Also, it would have been useful to note the grade of each coin that illustrates each date/mintmark writeup.
-- Too much space devoted to "modern" coins in the series. I don't need page after page saying that these later-date coins are "common." Also too much space devoted to non-numismatic happenings of each year. A better choice would have been to expand discussions of varieties and errors.
Overall a good but not great reference that includes a good deal of advanced knowledge for the more serious collector, but spends too much time on discussions of little consequence to even the newbiest of newbies. Certainly not the "definitive" reference I had hoped for, but will certainly take it's place next to the Lange and Taylor books (the former heavily referenced by QDB in his book).
-- Some good pointers on striking and planchet characteristics by date and mintmark, especially in the pre-1934 dates. Very useful and a good supplement to material already in existence. Also a good description of the minting process generally (including matte and brilliant proofs) and how it translates to the Lincoln series specifically.
-- Also some good tips on how to be a "wise buyer" of Lincoln cents, with an emphasis on strike, color, spotting and eye appeal, as well as detecting doctored coins.
The above two features justify the modest cost of this book. However, there are some points that "need improvement":
-- Lots of information on the introduction of the Lincoln cent in 1909 and subsequent design/alloy changes. Interesting stories, but nothing we haven't seen before.
-- Grading section is deficient. I had hoped for more series-specific detail on grading especially in MS grades and the "in-between" circ grades. More photos here would be helpful.
-- Photos are in color (good!) but generally way too small to be of much use. Also, it would have been useful to note the grade of each coin that illustrates each date/mintmark writeup.
-- Too much space devoted to "modern" coins in the series. I don't need page after page saying that these later-date coins are "common." Also too much space devoted to non-numismatic happenings of each year. A better choice would have been to expand discussions of varieties and errors.
Overall a good but not great reference that includes a good deal of advanced knowledge for the more serious collector, but spends too much time on discussions of little consequence to even the newbiest of newbies. Certainly not the "definitive" reference I had hoped for, but will certainly take it's place next to the Lange and Taylor books (the former heavily referenced by QDB in his book).
Me at the Springfield coin show:
60 years into this hobby and I'm still working on my Lincoln set!
60 years into this hobby and I'm still working on my Lincoln set!
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BTW - I need to purchase the Sol Taylor book. What is the title?
Collector of Early 20th Century U.S. Coinage.
ANA Member R-3147111
60 years into this hobby and I'm still working on my Lincoln set!
<< <i>Thanks for the Review...I just ordered the book from Whitman last night. I am looking forward to reading it over the Holidays.
BTW - I need to purchase the Sol Taylor book. What is the title?
You might want to wait for the fifth edition - due out in the summer of this year. I'm writing it.
The Lincoln cent store:
http://www.lincolncent.com
My numismatic art work:
http://www.cdaughtrey.com
USAF veteran, 1986-1996 :: support our troops - the American way.
The Lincoln cent store:
http://www.lincolncent.com
My numismatic art work:
http://www.cdaughtrey.com
USAF veteran, 1986-1996 :: support our troops - the American way.
Unfortunately my days of traveling to shows is about over...but if you want to mail it, I'd be happy to sign it. I'll have to send my mailing address when I know it.
The Lincoln cent store:
http://www.lincolncent.com
My numismatic art work:
http://www.cdaughtrey.com
USAF veteran, 1986-1996 :: support our troops - the American way.