What Do You Use the Most?

KellenCoin

We have all hear the cliche, but wise phrase "Buy the book before the coin". So, I am wondering: What book do you use most for your collecting specialty? It must be a book, not the internet

Personally, I would say the top 3 things I collect (but I also collect other things) are numismatic literature, sample slabs, and coinage from 1943.

So for me:

Sample Slabs - the book Sample Slabs by David Schwager

Numismatic Literature - (I use the internet primarily here, but for books I use) American Numismatic Literature by Charles Davis.

1943 Coinage - The Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901-2000 by Krause Publications.

Thanks!

coindeuce

"What book do you use most for your collecting specialty? It must be a book, not the internet"

Checkbook.

TurboSnail

investment guide for dummies

Barndog

nothing else is remotely close: "Federal Half Dimes 1792-1937" by Russell Logan and John McCloskey

Walkerfan

Collecting and Investing Strategies for Walking Liberty Half Dollars (Strategy Guide Series) by J. Ambio 2008.

This is the 2nd most current work on Walkers. It's only weakness is that there is not much info on varieties--the Bruce Fox book covers that topic in much more detail. I don't fool with varieties, so the Ambio book is fine by me.

QDB's book on WLHs, SLQs and Mercs is more current but I didn't care for it at all.

oih82w8

Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins Volume I & II

Nysoto

Well, I collect coins minted during the tenure of Chief Engraver Robert Scot. Trouble was, there was nothing even remotely accurate or complete about Scot's engraving career, so I wrote a book https://amazon.com/Robert-Scot-Engraving-William-Nyberg/dp/1939995094/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492199342&sr=8-1&keywords=Robert+Scot%3A+engraving+liberty

Actually, for my collecting specialty, Early United States Half Dollars 1794-1807 by Steve Tompkins is an excellent book, and also has more research on the early US Mint than any other coin reference book of that time period.

keets

So-Called Dollars by Hibler-Kappen, 1st and 2nd Editions.

Jimnight

@TurboSnail said:
investment guide for dummies

LOL...LOL..

Coinstartled

I pick up the Redbook and Greysheet everyday.

I did swat a bee with the Bressett 1804 dollar book yesterday....

Jimnight

The official RED BOOK 1st edition

EXOJUNKIE

Rulau's Standard Catalog of United States Tokens, 4th Ed.

Boosibri

Pillar coinage- Columnarios by Gilboy

WDP

I specialized in the early U.S. silver dollars 1794 to 1803, and other early U.S. silver. The book I use the most is The Encyclopedia of United States Silver Dollars 1794-1803 by Q. David Bowers. I have both the first and second editions, with many notes added over the years to the first (1993) edition.

Next is probably Early quarter Dollars of the United States Mint 1796-1838 by Rory Rea, Dr. Glenn Peterson, Bradley Karoleff, and John Kovach Jr.

For the early U.S. Dimes I use Early United States Dimes 1796 - 1837 by Davis, Logan, Lovejoy, McCloskey, and Subjack.

For Half Dimes I use @Barndog's favorite book, Federal Half Dimes 1792-1837 buy Russ Logan and John McCloskey.

I've actually used all four of these books today posting coins to my website!

And I use the Overton book for early and Capped Bust Half Dollars.

WDP

It is not a book, but I frequently refer to the John Reich Journal, the journal of the John Reich Collectors Society (JRCS). This Journal has been published three times a year, continually since 1986.

Along these lines, I also refer to The Asylum, the Journal of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society (NBS). Back issues of this Journal are now available online at the Newman Numismatic Portal (NNP).

messydesk

The ones I use most often are the VAM Book and From Mine to Mint.

Sonorandesertrat

W. C. Noyes/United States Large Cents (six-volume set)

BillJones

I go to the Red Book more than anything else, believe it or not. Next to that would probably be DeWitt - Sullivan for political tokens and "Coin Facts" which is, of course, not a book.

coin4sale

I usually pick up a loop ( 16x) or a magnifier (5x) dozens of times a day!

KellenCoin

@coindeuce said:
"What book do you use most for your collecting specialty? It must be a book, not the internet"

Checkbook.

Could you send me a signed copy?

KellenCoin

@Walkerfan said:
Collecting and Investing Strategies for Walking Liberty Half Dollars (Strategy Guide Series) by J. Ambio 2008.

This is the 2nd most current work on Walkers. It's only weakness is that there is not much info on varieties--the Bruce Fox book covers that topic in much more detail. I don't fool with varieties, so the Ambio book is fine by me.

QDB's book on WLHs, SLQs and Mercs is more current but I didn't care for it at all.

Out of curiosity, why don't you like the QDB book?

Walkerfan

@KellenCoin said:

@Walkerfan said:
Collecting and Investing Strategies for Walking Liberty Half Dollars (Strategy Guide Series) by J. Ambio 2008.

This is the 2nd most current work on Walkers. It's only weakness is that there is not much info on varieties--the Bruce Fox book covers that topic in much more detail. I don't fool with varieties, so the Ambio book is fine by me.

QDB's book on WLHs, SLQs and Mercs is more current but I didn't care for it at all.

Out of curiosity, why don't you like the QDB book?

The date/mm analysis info on (strike, etc.) was very vague and uninformative. He could have gone into much greater detail. He uses percentages, which seemed repetitive and inaccurate. JMO.

Not trying to boast but the info/descriptions in my registry set ATS is far more encompassing and I am not an author but rather a 25 year student, handler and collector of the WLH series.

It just doesn't seem like he put much effort into that part of the book.........

spacehayduke

I have two copies of this, one for using, one archived:

Early quarter Dollars of the United States Mint 1796-1838 by Rory Rea, Dr. Glenn Peterson, Bradley Karoleff, and John Kovach Jr.

Walkerfan

see above

ghigh

I use Cherry Pickers Guide and Rick Tomaska's Half Dollar books the most. I read many others regularly.

neildrobertson

Die Deutschen Muenzen seit 1871 by Kurt Jaeger. I mostly deal with German coins...

I still have to check my coin grading standards book a lot too

abcde12345

Someone recently stated, "Coins are cool- books are overrated".

There a nugget of wisdom there.

ricko

I use the Deluxe RedBook, CPG....and any others as required from my numismatic library. I do not specialize anymore.... so, when I need information, I just go to my bookshelves and pick out the one I need...However, I use the RedBook almost daily...Cheers, RickO

dbldie55

The two books next to me all the timeare the Cherry Pickers guild (volume 1, 6th edition) and Treasure Hunting Liberty Head Nickels, second addition. These are the two books that will be with me when I go to any coin show.

19Lyds

The Kennedy Half Dollar Book by James Wiles
The Cherry Pickers Guide
The Authoritative Reference on Eisenhower Dollars

seatedlib3991

The two books I use the most often are the ANA Grading guide. And the Making the Grade picture book. My specialty books are all online. However, I have recently started using the new Bowers Book Liberty Seated Coins.

RogerB

For many, the Guide Book is probably the most used, at least until they enter the world of specialties - then, the choice has to be the most accurate and best understood reference for that subject. To get the most out of specialty books, it's important to learn about the factors influencing the topic and actions of the Mint and Treasury -- that is, the context.

Personally, I refer to many published books and articles when writing, yet it all comes down to doing the "grunt work" research in original materials that matters most. From there, I can only hope that the published book will benefit collectors and historians.

Hydrant

My brain. Which undoubtedly accounts for all of the dubious to disastrous decisions I've made. Oh well, I do have a good time and have only myself to blame. Carry on!