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Suggested references for Half Cents and Large Cents.
keets
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What are some suggested references for Half Cents and Large Cents which you've used? Can you please provide a title and an author if you know them??
Thanks.
Al H.
Thanks.
Al H.
0
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Also check out this web site for other publications:
http://www.eacs.org/
Tbig
The court jester does not play, but gently pulls the strings…
Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents by Walter Breen
Little Half Sisters by Roger Cohen (Good book but superceded by the Breen book)
Large Cents - Early Dates
Penny Whimsy by Dr Wiliam Sheldon (Good reading and useful, the standard reference from 1949 - 2000. DO NOT BUY THE 1990 EDITION! The plates are lousy, underexposed dark circles and almost useless. I like the 1958 or 1964 editions the best.)
United States Large Cents 1793 - 1814 by William Noyes Excellent book, basicly the same text as Penny Whimsy but much better plates including 3 inch enlargements of each variety. More die state information is included and a better condition census. Expensive though, around $140. Also, unless you can find a used copy, it is only sold as a set along with the 1816 - 1839 volume for a total of $270.
Encyclopedia of United States Large cents 1793 - 1814 by Walter Breen The current standard reference. MUCH more historical data, over 800 pages. Even more die state information, and good plates, though not quite as good as the Noyes book. Also has 3 inch enlarged plates and it is the most up to date book. Drawback is that the numbering system is by the new emission sequence as determined by Breen and not by Sheldon numbers which every one still uses. A conversion table is included though.
Large Cents - Middle dates
United States Large Cents 1816 - 1857 by Howard Newcomb. Standard reference from 1944 to 1990, it's nice if you like books, but I do not recommend it. No plates, and the next two books are easier to read and use.
United States Large cents 1816 - 1839 by William Noyes. The companion valume to the early date book. Same format as the first book and easy to use. Cost around $130. This book is sold seperately.
The Cent Book by John Wright. In my opinion every bit as good as the Noyes book, but a more enjoyable read, and at $100, its cheaper too.
Large Cents - Late dates
The Newcomb book listed above, but I wouldn't wish that book on my worst enemy. For late dates it is almost impossible to use. STAY AWAY!
United States Large Cents 1840 - 1857 by Bob Grellman Takes some getting used to but with a little practice it makes attributing late dates fairly easy.
And of course there are many earier works on large cents as well. For the early dates I would recommend picking up a copy of Early American Coppers Anthology by Dr Warren Lapp. It contains all of the best early works on the early dates all in one volume.
For Pricing
Penny Prices by William Noyes. It is the only option now that it appears that CQR (Copper Quotes by Robinson) has folded.
A good starting library of the Breen half cent and large cent books, a copy of Penny Whimsy, The Cent Book, and Grellmans late date book will run about $390. And a copy of Penny Prices is another $35 for atotal of $425.