How many coin books do you own?
I thought it would be fun to see how many coin books people have in their personal library. I am including red books, grading guides and even books on precious metals in my count. I am not including magazines, journals, or auction catalogs. I made the poll public because I am not really concerned with privacy when it comes to the number of books I own. Please list your favorite books in a comment. My favorites are the 2 bust quarter books.
How many coin books do you own?
Comments
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1-10
I only own very basic reference books on coins and paper money, nine in total. They are all I need.
All glory is fleeting.1 -
1-10
?
0 -
21-50
I have sold many volumes, sometimes I miss them. It's been fun.
1 -
100+
They are all favorites. Can never have too many books

US bookshelf (bottom shelf is auction catalogs that I feel are significant)

World, Ancient, and Medieval
Member of the ANA since 198210 -
100+
Too many to count, probably over 1,000 +
References on everything I ever collected.And Red Books: Complete sets.
Plus every special edition, and many many more.Frank
BHNC #2035 -
0
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51-100
I have most of the early silver and gold reference books and US Mint history, going back to George Evans and Frank Stewart, and a favorite early publication is the 1834 Gold and Silver Coins by the US Congress Select Committee on Coins.
Some excellent recent books include 1792: Birth of a Nation's Coinage, Classic Gold Coins of 1834-1839, Early United States Half Dollars Volume I 1794-1807, From Mine to Mint, and my sig line!
Robert Scot: Engraving Liberty - biography of US Mint's first chief engraver5 -
1-10
It might be just over 10, but 10 was what I could find this morning.
I’ve got the Mega Red Book with Dimes that I really like Tomaska’s book on Franklins that’s a favorite.1 -
1-10
I have 7.
1 -
100+
Too many to count. I "rescue" them all the time from yard sales, flea markets and thrift shops.
2 -
100+
This is just part of my library. As you see, I even have my own "assistant".

Member ANA, SPMC, SCNA, FUN, CONECA
12 -
100+
235
2 -
11-20
This made me go and count. I have 11 books. That doesn’t include some auction catalogs and magazines I’ve kept, though.
Adding in e-Books and it goes up to 15.
1 -
Not really sure, I estimate around 30. Favorites are large cent books, Fox’s book on walkers, and pretty much anything Dave Bowers has published.
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21-50
Probably right around 50, but I'm planning to sell off many of them in the near future.
1 -
100+

Always research to doVisit USPatterns.com
14 -
11-20
There was a thread a year or so ago about how many auction catalogs people have. I imagine some have more than books. I have about as many as I do books although I’m thinking of thinning that herd as well since I never look at them. I’m not a high roller and I’m not sure there’s much value to keeping them.
1 -
100+
Starting to sell them. Don't want to worry the wife with them.
1 -
100+
@TurtleCat said:
There was a thread a year or so ago about how many auction catalogs people have. I imagine some have more than books. I have about as many as I do books although I’m thinking of thinning that herd as well since I never look at them. I’m not a high roller and I’m not sure there’s much value to keeping them.With the Newman Numismatic Portal it really has changed a lot. Almost everything I have predates that. There is a large percentage of out of print books you can now find online there. Little different if it is still in copyright and therefore more modern, then you need book in hand or use ANA library
Visit USPatterns.com
2 -
100+
100+
Actually closer to 1000 including catalogs from major collections, mostly Canadian (50%) with World and US about 25% each.Gene
Life member #369 of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association
Member of Canadian Association of Token Collectors
Collector of:
Canadian coins and pre-confederation tokens
Darkside proof/mint sets dated 1960
My Ebay1 -
11-20
I'm on the low end of 11-20 with 12. Mostly general US and world guides, grading guides, and series specific reference books. No e-books, at least not yet.
1 -
51-100
Have quality, extensive Numismatic Library. Have done both US & World Coins / Currency. Reference books on US Coins & Curency, Mexico, World Gold, USA National Bankbotes. About 85 books.
Basically a balanced inventory between coins and currency. Currently on tear get banknotes graded by PCGS.
Active shows and online.
Investor1 -
21-50
I finally sold all my duplicates and many that I didn't really use any more(or never had) I still have 30-50 and about 10 are used regularly.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain1 -
I'd say 51-100 : you can count'em if you wish

4 -
1-10
I have 6 or 7.
1 -
21-50
I haven't counted them, there are other books in there, silver hallmarks, etc but coins, probably 25 to 30 maybe?
1 -
51-100
Not sure I’m over 100 without counting but they’re in 5 or 6 different bookshelves. My favorite is probably Edkins West Virginia coal scrip reference but also like Fuld CWTs and the Krouse world coin catalogs.
1 -
11-20
Hmm, I didn’t think about favorite. I’d say mine would be “The Mint At Charlotte” by Birdsall. Most likely because it spends a lot more time on history than on individual die characteristics and such which aren’t my thing. My favorite to just look at would be “Proof Gold Coinage if the United States” by Loewinger.
1 -
21-50
Who has written a numismatic research book that resides in Presidential Libraries and Museums?
I have a numismatic research book that resides in the Presidential Library and Museum of Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Richard M. Nixon. This numismatic book is out of print, but I'm writing an updated version of this book.
3 -
11-20
My answer is a guess. I haven't bought hardly any since resuming collecting in 1998 because I don't spend my budget on areas I don't collect. I will make a few exceptions (if I can find it) but only a few.
1 -
11-20
I like the fact that the board, thus far, is showing the highest percentage is from both extremes. The lowest amount of books and the most amount of books. Lol
My favorite book is close to the same. The 4th Edition and the 6th Edition Cherrypickers Guide. Both are used quite frequently for my picking interest.
Cool thread!"Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!
--- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.1 -
21-50
I forgot I have over 100 pdf books and ebooks.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain1 -
I think i got 9 or so, cool thread
1 -
21-50
I counted them.
most of them anyway some are in storage.
26 coin books
40+ silver books antique silversmiths, etc
Cool thread indeed!1 -
100+
Me thinks you could add a higher option!
2 -
51-100
Counting old auction catalogs I well over 50 but then the move and downsizing. I’m still in the process of unpacking so I’m not sure what I have now.
The longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice is it possible for an empire to rise without His aid? Benjamin Franklin1 -
Well, I have about 180 books, but most of them are copies of the book I wrote

Early American Copper, Bust and Seated.
4 -
11-20
Well, I voted off my memory guess of between 11-20
Turns out I have 32+ (after a more accurate count prompted by this thread)
Tried to edit my entry and couldn’t figure it out.Happy, humble, honored and proud recipient of the “You Suck” award 10/22/2014
2 -
21-50
This is if I don't count the past issues of the Numismatist, or the auction catalogues, or the other periodicals ... otherwise the number is much greater
“We are only their care-takers,” he posed, “if we take good care of them, then centuries from now they may still be here … ”
Todd - BHNC #2421 -
1-10
I have a few red books but lately pcgs coinfacts has replaced my need for books. I now rather spend the $ on a new coin than a book. Rather hold the history than read about it.
2 -
21-50
I may well have underestimated by choosing 21-50. The more I think about it, probably more than 50, probably around 70. I am not going to go count them. I have five just around the computer. Cheers, RickO
1 -
21-50
@markelman1125 said:
I have a few red books but lately pcgs coinfacts has replaced my need for books. I now rather spend the $ on a new coin than a book. Rather hold the history than read about it.When I buy a new coin, something I haven't had before, I usually go and find the relevant books for that said coin. It makes those coins come to life when you read about them and have them there with you
5 -
21-50
Oops! Mail call, so add 1.
Jim
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest....Abraham Lincoln
Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.....Mark Twain3 -
51-100
I'm including auction catalogs in my number, mainly because most of the ones I've hung onto I use as reference books. Frankly there are a few boxes in the basement that if I ever get around to unpacking them, would probably push me up to the next tier.
Sean Reynolds
Incomplete planchets wanted, especially Lincoln Cents & type coins.
"Keep in mind that most of what passes as numismatic information is no more than tested opinion at best, and marketing blather at worst. However, I try to choose my words carefully, since I know that you guys are always watching." - Joe O'Connor1 -
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