Book on history of coin collecting in the US

shirohniichan

I'm interested in reading a good book on the history of coin collecting in the US.

I've read tidbits about collectors cabinets and the practice of regularly polishing prized coins in the early days, collecting by mintmark later on, buying BU coins by the roll as collector/speculator, and down to current micrograding. I'd like to read a book that has the whole collecting enchilada in one volume.

Does anyone know of one he can recommend?

Sonorandesertrat

Such a book doesn't exist yet, but this is something that I also would like to see appear in print.

ricko

Seems as if this would be a great project for one of the forum members. Cheers, RickO

BillJones

You might try Dave Bowers' very first book (I think) Coins and Collectors which he wrote in 1964. It has since re-printed in a larger format that the original edition. He also wrote another book about 19th century American numismatics, Amerian Numismatics Before the Civil War 1760 - 1860. in 1998. That one has been long out of print.

Broadstruck

This will cover up until the Civil War period...

shirohniichan

Originally posted by: BillJones
You might try Dave Bowers' very first book (I think) Coins and Collectors which he wrote in 1964. It has since re-printed in a larger format that the original edition. He also wrote another book about 19th century American numismatics, Amerian Numismatics Before the Civil War 1760 - 1860. in 1998. That one has been long out of print.

Thanks! That's a good start. Maybe someone can write from the post-bellum to our MONSTER!!! toning/ micrograding trends of today.

ricko

By the way... Good to see you back Shiro..... Cheers, RickO

shirohniichan

Thanks! It's been a while.

Mark

Shiro:



Ditto about good to see you back. Additionally, the Bowers book discussed in this thread is really good. If you can perhaps borrow a copy (say from the ANA if you are a member) or buy one, I think it's a fascinating read.