Gold Coins of the Philadelphia Mint book: Probably not...

adamlaneus

(about the series of books by Doug Winters)

I guess I understand the allure of the branch mints. But isn't there likely to be more meat to a book about the coins that the main US mint produced?

Is there something about the subject material that doesn't lend itself to a specific issue such as the similar books about branch mint coins?

Why does this book not yet exist?


(edit) Sounds like it's not in the works as a book. But there's plenty of information about Philly Gold in other places, as this thread demonstrates.

RWB

What did Doug say when you contacted him via his web site?

adamlaneus

I asked the question here, in part, to generate some general discussion about Philly gold.

Silly me, not asking Mr. Winters himself. I just asked.

RWB

OK....Thought you were preparing us for a revelation.

Good subject, though. I'd be interested in his plans.

RYK

There's no way he could give the same treatment to the subject that he does for C, D, O, and CC mints.

coinkat

Someone else can undertake the task...

Nysoto

The early gold coins (all Philly) are covered by the excellent Bass/Dannreuther book Early US Gold Coin Varieties, 1795-1834. The book was written in 2006 and would be difficult to improve upon. There is a book in work on the classic head gold series 1834-1839. Beyond 1838/39, it would be great to have a specialized Philadelphia gold book, but it would be an enormous amount of work as it covers so many years.

ambro51

A less involved work would be the coins of the San Francisco mint.

DaveG

Doug has some articles on his website about the gold coins of the San Francisco and Philly mints (just in case you haven't read them).

I think the main reason he hasn't written books about the SF and Philly mint gold coins is that there isn't the (perceived or real) collector demand for the coins - especially for the post-1878 coins, which (mostly) exist in large quantities and mostly spent their lives in bank vaults.

Personally, I think the pre-Civil War Liberty gold coins are interesting, because they actually circulated and the quantity of coins minted fluctuated widely, depending on the quantity of gold that was deposited. The Civil War and immediately post Civil War coins would also be interesting, because the SF coins circulated and the Philly coins didn't.

I can't think of much that is interesting about the post-1878 coins.

RYK

I can't think of much that is interesting about the post-1878 coins.

Some of the 1880's Philly $20 Libs and $3's are numismatically interesting. Otherwise,

adamlaneus

I asked:
Dead silence; no reply.

I'd buy it if it were available.

cameron12x

<< <i>There is a book in work on the classic head gold series 1834-1839. >>

Is Doug writing this book, or someone else?

Nysoto

John McCloskey announced he was writing a book on the classic head gold series a couple years ago at the John Reich Collectors Society annual meeting. I don't know when it will be published. In the meantime, this is available for the quarter eagles Classic Quarter Eagle Die Varieties. The half eagles are covered in an article by McCloskey within an ANS publication"America's Gold Coinage" COAC 1989.

photog

<< <i>I asked:
Dead silence; no reply.

I'd buy it if it were available. >>



Did you email Doug directly? dwn@ont.com

I am sure he'd reply. I just asked, he said he hadn't gotten any emails on the subject.

-Jenna

Longacre

I, for one, would enjoy a book like this. However, I understand the economic aspect as well-- it will easily take him two years to research and write it, which would take away from his business activities, and who knows how much the SF or Philly market would increase as a result of the book.

AngryTurtle

<< <i>
I can't think of much that is interesting about the post-1878 coins. >>



What happened in 1878?

adamlaneus

<< <i>

<< <i>I asked:
Dead silence; no reply.

I'd buy it if it were available. >>



Did you email Doug directly? dwn@ont.com

I am sure he'd reply. I just asked, he said he hadn't gotten any emails on the subject.

-Jenna >>



I used the contact page of this website. I'm not surprised it didn't work, it's a 'form mailer'. You know, a component of the notwork.
http://www.raregoldcoins.com/contact

(trying again with new e-mail)

I wonder, when one studies for creating all of these books, just how much collateral material occurs that is interesting too...

adamlaneus

That last e-mail address was correct. Doesn't sound like it's gonna happen as a book, per se. But Mr Winters does write about Philly gold in blogs and articles and such.