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Book on history of coin collecting in the US

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?
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Comments

  • SonorandesertratSonorandesertrat Posts: 5,695 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Such a book doesn't exist yet, but this is something that I also would like to see appear in print.
    Member: EAC, NBS, C4, CWTS, ANA

    RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'

    CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Seems as if this would be a great project for one of the forum members. Cheers, RickO
  • BillJonesBillJones Posts: 34,685 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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.
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • BroadstruckBroadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
    This will cover up until the Civil War period...



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    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • shirohniichanshirohniichan Posts: 4,992 ✭✭✭
    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.
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  • rickoricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
    By the way... Good to see you back Shiro..... Cheers, RickO
  • shirohniichanshirohniichan Posts: 4,992 ✭✭✭
    Thanks! It's been a while.
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    Obscurum per obscurius
  • MarkMark Posts: 3,566 ✭✭✭✭✭
    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.
    Mark


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