Coin Related: Anyone know the value of the Two Volume Set of Bowers Silver Dollar Encyclopedias ?

MFH

A few years ago, I was approached to sell my two volume set of Q. David Bowers
Silver Dollars of The United States - A Complete Encyclopedia. At the time, I
wasn't interested in the offer - nor the $500 being offered.

I approached a well known dealer while at the Pittsburgh ANA who was soliciting these
reference books and I just got a firm offer from him. 25% of my original offer of five
years ago. - or - $125 after I pay the Priority Mail Flat Rate fees.

Am I missing something here ? Any advice as to who I should contact ?
For $125 - I'd rather donate them to the ANA. I believe I paid close to that
when I bought them back in 1995. These books are as new - I hardly cracked the
spine...

Thanks - and I'm sorry if this Thread doesn't belong here...

TAMU15

They are ranging on amazon from 450 to 800... I don't think I would sell for 125! haha

B

RichieURich

I do sell the Bowers Silver Dollar Encyclopedia on my website; the current set I have in stock I paid $350 for and would sell for $450.

I don't want to have more than one set in stock, because it doesn't sell all that well. But this gives you an idea of my buy and sell prices on the 2-volume set.

firstmint

There are softcover versions, hardcover versions, and deluxe maroon leatherette covered versions.

There might have been a misunderstanding on exactly which set you have.

BillJones

Five or six years ago, I sold the soft cover version, in Mint State condition, for $450.00 to a customer. I had to pay $400 for it from a numismatic book dealer. The customer had not been able to find a copy anywhere, and he had an inpressive set of early dollars.

BillJones

An interesting side story about this set was that it took some patience for the original buyers to get it. Bowers started taking orders for it months before it was supposed to be issued. I think the issue price was $125 for the hard cover, yellow binder edition. Publication was delayed, and at one point Bowers offered to refund the money. I let my money ride. Finally, more than year after I had bought into the advanced subscription, I got the books. This might explain why these books are so scarce and expensive today.

CaptHenway

I've got a maroon set that Dave gave me for copy editing the manuscript, and making a few suggestions and additions along the way.

Love the bust dollar section! I suggested that he break it out as a separate edition later, but it never happened.

TD

MrHalfDime

We're not talking half dimes here, so I am not sure if this is the same book, but does this help?

MFH

Thanks everyone; I have the yellow hard cover two volume set
and I remember paying $125 for the encyclopedias when they
first came out.

I never did get into collecting Dollars - so - I hardly ever opened
them up. They are virtually "as new".

Maybe I'll put them up on the BST.

... I'm now chuckeling to myself, the parting words I got from the
dealer at the ANA - were : Don't worry, you don't think I'll screw you, do you ?

Now, I'm thinking, I didn't have to worry, he is screwing me. LOL

TAMU15

<< <i>

Now, I'm thinking, I didn't have to worry, he is screwing me. LOL >>



classic! haha

TURBO

Never understood why the heck people bring valuable items to sell in pawn shops..or "shops in general" Dont get me wrong, I love the show but wow!!

mrearlygold

We have paid a lot more than that.

coindeuce

If you do a BST search of my user ID, you'll see that I offered a card cover set early this year for under $400, and the offer was ignored. With this particular 2 volume reference, it is all a matter of timing. they usually are tightly held by collectors who will frequently use them. I have a complete set of the various editions, including the deluxe maroon leatherette hardbound limited edition, which I would expect to be of interest only to a numismatic bibliophile.

ldhair

The folks that paid early thought it was only going to be one book. It grew into two books but those that paid early did not have to pay extra. I'll look it up but I thought it was only about $60. One of my set is bound backwards but I never returned it.

keoj

I also recall the original $60 price (softcover). Best investment I've ever made in numismatics.

keoj

MrHalfDime

I haven't seen a response to my earlier post, but isn't the Bowers dollar book book posted on line? If so, why would anyone need to purchase it, particularly at such a high price? Isn't this the book you are all talking about?

CaptHenway

<< <i>I haven't seen a response to my earlier post, but isn't the Bowers dollar book book posted on line? If so, why would anyone need to purchase it, particularly at such a high price? Isn't this the book you are all talking about? >>



That is the book.
Paper beats electrons!

breweryrat

I just picked up a brand new set of the nice original edition maroon hardbacks with signature for $500 from another dealer and was happy to pay it.

MrHalfDime

"Paper beats electrons!"

I heartily agree, but if someone was simply looking for the information, then free beats $500.

DennisH

<< <i>I just picked up a brand new set of the nice original edition maroon hardbacks with signature for $500 from another dealer and was happy to pay it. >>

I'd have been happy to do it as well. Nice pick-up.

coindeuce

Five hundred bucks for a signed set of the deluxe edition is a bargain. The standard edition in card cover is the most affordable for functionality. The yellow and blue cover standard edition is also published in hard cover, but very rarely seen offered.

tradedollarnut

I have both the soft cover [signed by Q] and the maroon hard cover that I picked up off of ebay for something like $150. One of my all time favorite coin books!

shorecoll

Mike the set you have worked it's way up to about $600-$650 a year or so ago and has now settled in the $400-$450 range. The dealer you offered it to either already has several, or didn't want to get stuck if it fell further. There are people now who prefer electrons and that has hurt the values of SOME books and this set might be an example. Another example is Breen's encyclopedia that was routinely selling for $400 and now sells for $125...if you can sell it.

MFH

Thanks everyone.

I got another email from that dealer - and
he's telling me the two volume set is only
wholesaling at $125 - and he just sold another
set for $175.

I may just as well keep them. Especially if I buy
any more DMPL's !!