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What are the best books on half dollars?

I mean for 1794-1891.

I prefer my coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12

Member here for 5 years

Comments

  • Morgan WhiteMorgan White Posts: 11,653 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @seatedlib3991 said:
    Go to the Liberty Seated Collector Club site. There is a thing called online resources under the heading for old site. I am sure there is a book page on the new site too.
    Look for the books by Bill Bugert on Seated Half dollars. He has exstensive books on all the mints. You can download them for free if you wish.
    This will get your from 1839 to 1891. Good luck. James

    They revamped their website last year. If I’m not mistaken all their resources are behind a membership wall now.

  • WildWestHalfDollarsWildWestHalfDollars Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Thanks guys!!!

    I prefer my coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12

    Member here for 5 years

  • JBNJBN Posts: 1,932 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 14, 2025 9:03AM

    .

  • yosclimberyosclimber Posts: 5,133 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 14, 2025 4:02PM

    @seatedlib3991 said:
    Just use the thing at the top that says OLD LSCC Org. I just used it to look up something in Greer's book on dimes. No membership needed. Books are right thwere under online resources. James

    Direct links:
    http://old.lsccweb.org/Links.shtml
    http://old.lsccweb.org/BillBugertBooks.php

  • WildWestHalfDollarsWildWestHalfDollars Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 26, 2025 6:01AM

    Does anyone know if this book is any good?

    Picked a copy of this book tried to buy other books but I am in Canada and those sellers only ship to the USA. I will continue searching for other books but only want to buy copies that are new or like new condition.

    I saw there is a 5th edition but could not find a copy for sale.

    United States Early Half Dollar Die Varieties. 1794-1836.Fourth Edition (700 pages)

    (Random image I found on the internet)

    I prefer my coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12

    Member here for 5 years

  • pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 7,434 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WildWestHalfDollars That is what is considered the "Overton" manual, 4th Edition.

    I think it is essential to have a 3rd, 4th or 5th Edition, so yes ... that is an important reference.

    FWIW, Don Parsley was Al Overton's Son-in-Law, and he carried on the publication through the 5th Edition.


    “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 #242
  • jesbrokenjesbroken Posts: 10,802 ✭✭✭✭✭

    There appears to be one copy available of Early United States Half Dollars, Volume I: 1794-1807, by Steve M. Tompkins online and they are hard to come by. Just Google.
    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 Twain
  • WildWestHalfDollarsWildWestHalfDollars Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jesbroken said:
    There appears to be one copy available of Early United States Half Dollars, Volume I: 1794-1807, by Steve M. Tompkins online and they are hard to come by. Just Google.
    Jim

    Please send me the link via PM. If it is the one on eBay seller only ships to USA.

    I prefer my coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12

    Member here for 5 years

  • BarberianBarberian Posts: 4,294 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 26, 2025 7:38AM

    @pursuitofliberty said:
    Probably essential;

    Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794 to 1836, by Al Overton (suggest 3rd Edition or later)
    A Registry of Die Varieties of Reeded Edge Half Dollars 1836 to 1839, by Dick Graham
    The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dollars, by Wiley and Bugert

    I've learned from other SLH collectors here that Wiley and Bugert (1993) The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dollars has information that is not found in Bill Bugert's die marriage references that is useful and interesting. Most notably for Philly coins from 1874-1891 that are not covered in BB's DM registries yet, so it is definitely essential.

    3 rim nicks away from Good
  • pursuitoflibertypursuitofliberty Posts: 7,434 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Quarternut May be able to help you get an issue of the Early US Half Dollars book pictured, and have it shipped to Canada. I'm not sure, but maybe he'll chime in. He's a pretty resourceful guy. ;)


    “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 #242
  • Bob13Bob13 Posts: 1,592 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Strongly recommend Bust Half Fever - it's just a great read.

    My current "Box of 20"

  • WildWestHalfDollarsWildWestHalfDollars Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 1, 2025 6:02AM

    Thanks guys much appreciated!!!

    I prefer my coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12

    Member here for 5 years

  • WildWestHalfDollarsWildWestHalfDollars Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November 1, 2025 6:02AM

    @jesbroken said:
    There appears to be one copy available of Early United States Half Dollars, Volume I: 1794-1807, by Steve M. Tompkins online and they are hard to come by. Just Google.
    Jim

    Was going to buy a copy but their shipping cost to Canada costs as much as the book I cannot do that. Will wait to locate another copy. I do not mind paying 95$ for the book but almost 95$ for shipping I cannot stomach.

    I prefer my coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12

    Member here for 5 years

  • WildWestHalfDollarsWildWestHalfDollars Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭✭✭

    How about the book on the 1838-O is that a good book?

    I prefer my coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12

    Member here for 5 years

  • TomBTomB Posts: 22,302 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WildWestHalfDollars said:
    How about the book on the 1838-O is that a good book?

    It might help if your post contained a bit more information than what you have written here.

    Thomas Bush Numismatics & Numismatic Photography

    In honor of the memory of Cpl. Michael E. Thompson

    image
  • WildWestHalfDollarsWildWestHalfDollars Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @TomB said:

    @WildWestHalfDollars said:
    How about the book on the 1838-O is that a good book?

    It might help if your post contained a bit more information than what you have written here.

    I prefer my coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12

    Member here for 5 years

  • WildWestHalfDollarsWildWestHalfDollars Posts: 6,755 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @WildWestHalfDollars said:

    @jesbroken said:
    There appears to be one copy available of Early United States Half Dollars, Volume I: 1794-1807, by Steve M. Tompkins online and they are hard to come by. Just Google.
    Jim

    Was going to buy a copy but their shipping cost to Canada costs as much as the book I cannot do that. Will wait to locate another copy. I do not mind paying 95$ for the book but almost 95$ for shipping I cannot stomach.

    Not the companies fault it is me I live in Canada so sometimes things like this prevent me from buying.

    I prefer my coins in lower circulated condition G04 to F12

    Member here for 5 years

  • CatbertCatbert Posts: 7,811 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Seated Half Society member #38
    "Got a flaming heart, can't get my fill"

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