Old to most, but new to me! Howard Newcomb's "United States Copper Cents"

RyGuy

I just arrived home and this was waiting at my door, courtesy of the great folks @ Wizard. Viewing the book for less than a whopping 10 minutes, I can already tell this is my new favorite piece of numismatic literature. I think its magnificent that all the descriptions were left the way Mr. Newcomb wrote them. Its as if I'm reading his original journal! Hands down no better way to sit at your desk or study and go through your varieties.

Ryan

savoyspecial

a great read!

coindeuce

I prefer using Noe's two volumes. The plates for each variety in Noe are superior in effecting quick attributions.

kaz

I've heard Noe is better for attribution, maybe Newcomb is more literary? There should be room under the tent for both, imo.

Barndog

I thought it was Noyes?

RyGuy

<< <i>I thought it was Noyes? >>



It is.

MikeInFL

<< <i>I prefer using Noe's two volumes. >>



Who?

Back to the OP's topic... Newcomb is a great read, but difficult for me to attribute from. I have found Noyes and Wright for the early stuff and Grellman for the latter dates are better for attribution.

However, neither has close to the the flair of the Newcomb book, IMO, and it deserves a place on every copper collector's bookshelf.

MrHalfDime

The Newcomb book is, to me anyway, a numismatic literature masterpiece. Most would prefer high resolution, high quality photographs of each of the die marriages, but such was not available when Newcomb published. He used, instead, simple line drawings of each obverse and reverse, with added lines representing die cracks, crumbling, and cuds. There is elegance in the simplicity; the eyes are not cluttered with too much information, just what the author was attempting to call your attention to. By this simple method, Newcomb was able to make attributions easier. I am also impressed that the text is neatly written in the author's own hand. While more recent publications may have greatly expanded upon the collective knowledge of the series, and modern photographic methods may have made the illustrations more impressive, no other publication can compare with Newcomb's obvious love for the series. I don't collect the Large Cents, but I consider Newcomb's reference to be an essential part of any comprehensive numismatic library.

Coinosaurus

Newcomb is a classic, no question about it.

But the Noyes' books bring attribution down to the idiot level - they make it pretty easy.

I'd say a serious collector should have both, with a preference to Newcomb if you are collecting literature, and the edge to Noyes for attribution.

coindeuce

Noe, Noyes, Noise, Noyds. Sumpin like 'at. I got that rare dropped y syndrome. Kinda like the smoebody syndrome.

coindeuce

<< <i>Newcomb is a classic, no question about it.

But the Noyes' books bring attribution down to the idiot level - they make it pretty easy.

I'd say a serious collector should have both, with a preference to Newcomb if you are collecting literature, and the edge to Noyes for attribution. >>


And where would a real man be without his Penny Whimsy?

Barndog

<< <i>

<< <i>Newcomb is a classic, no question about it.

But the Noyes' books bring attribution down to the idiot level - they make it pretty easy.

I'd say a serious collector should have both, with a preference to Newcomb if you are collecting literature, and the edge to Noyes for attribution. >>


And where would a real man be without his Penny Whimsy? >>



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