Reference books

tippingmyhat · January 7, 2004 2:57PM

Hi,

I am looking to expand my reference library.
I collect 1c 5c 10c 25c and 50c ---
I also like usa error coins.
can anyone suggest some good books on these coins

These are the books that i have now.
1. Red book
2. error coin encyclopedia
3. cherry pickers.
4. PCGS grading standards
5. PCGS pop report

Please help.
Thank You

Cam40 · January 7, 2004 3:02PM

Two more books to note that are possibly must-have books for coin collectors are

the ANA grading standards for US coins
and last and maybe least the Photograde book.
Maybe if and when the Photograde book comes out with
hi-rez color pictures will it be a truely must-have book.

JM2c

tippingmyhat · January 7, 2004 3:33PM

Thank you Cam40

What all is in the photograde?

Coppernicus · January 7, 2004 4:38PM

TMH - For the cents, I really like Lange's Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents. It's not a cherry picking book but is a very nice overview of the Lincolns.

Mike

CarlWohlforth · January 7, 2004 11:47PM

Lange also has a Buffalo Nickel and Mercury Dime book. I use my Breen's Enclopedia of US Coins often.

Conder101 · January 8, 2004 2:03AM

You've told us what denominations you collect, but what series? For example you say you collect 50 Cent pieces, but recommending the Overton book on bust halves doesn't do you any good if you are only collecting Kennedys. If we know what series then we can be more specific in our advice.

tippingmyhat · January 8, 2004 5:00PM

good point

.01 IHC to 2004
.05 Buff. to 2004
.10 lib. to 2004
.25 stand lib. to 2004
.50 kenn.

cdwegner · January 8, 2004 5:45PM

Besides the volumes mentioned above...

Krause's World Coins and World Paper Money books are good fun. They also impress people with their size. haha

Also, Charlton's Canadian Coins is nice for those who collect maple leaf money.

Shamika · January 8, 2004 11:35PM

Lange's Complete Guide to Buffalo Nickels is an absolute "must have" if you collect this series.

And I HATE using the phrase "must have" most of the time.

joeyuk · January 9, 2004 6:39AM

It may be a bit out of date but I think Breens has to be considered the most complete single book. Joe

Conder101 · January 9, 2004 3:57PM

Richard Snow has severa good books on the Indian Head cents, Q David Bowers has one a well. Sorry don't have titles but I'm sure others here will supply them.
Jefferson Nickel Analysis by Bernard Nagast (sp)
Standing Liberty quarters by Jay Cline

Dennis88 · January 9, 2004 5:37PM

Look here for IHC books...

ccex · January 9, 2004 6:20PM

<< <i>It may be a bit out of date but I think Breens has to be considered the most complete single book. Joe >>

I use my Breen "Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. Coins" regularly and don't care why he was imprisoned. It's an entertaining read for those who like their research slightly salty.

The ANA grading guide is indespensible.

I spend the most time going back to my "Complete Guide" series from David Lawrence Rare Coins Press. I own 9 of these, most of which, sadly, are out of print, but still available on eBay. Many are now 10 or 13 years old but still useful for the variety collector.

If you're into those series, Sheldon's "Penny Whimsy" for early Large Cents, Wayne Miller's "Morgan and Peace Dollar Handbook", and J.H. Cline's "Standing Libert Quarters" are required reading.

Don't ignore Q. David Bowers, either.

I do NOT recommend Weimar White's Seated Liberty Dollar book or anything by Les Fox or Alan Hager, unless you enjoy exercises in how to cheat with statistics.

Askari · January 9, 2004 11:21PM

Try Krause-Mishler's Standard Catalog of World Coins ... any of the volumes. They're packed with more "entertainment" than any of these (with only Breen coming close), and you'll find yourself returning to it time and time again as you become more and more jaded with the faces of the same old dead presidents!! Take a walk on the Dark Side!!!

Rittenhouse · January 10, 2004 12:22AM

ccex,

I'd be careful using the Breen encyclopedia, or "Breen's Fractured Fairy Tales" as I like to call it. Another Rittenhouse Society member humorously commented that "rare" is the third most common word in the book.

I can tell you that Breen got about 50% of the tech details wrong. Although with Breen I don't know that "wrong" in the proper word. Let's just say given the choice of a good story or fact, Breen would go with the story every time.

I do suppose that he got the date and mintmark stuff right, but I'd probably check a more reliable source just to be sure

.

LAWMAN · January 10, 2004 4:02AM

Where can I buy the PCGS Grading Standards book?

tippingmyhat · January 10, 2004 4:47AM

LAWMAN,

I got mine from a friend. I think they are out of print now but you may be able to find some on ebay.
I'll look around to see if i can locate one and let you know.

Reference books

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