Breen's Encylopedia of U.S. Coins

Prethen · July 8, 2008 3:39AM

Holy cow...I tried to find how much the book can be bought for (just curious as I already own a copy that's in perfect shape) and the cheapest price is $280!!! I guess it pays to hold onto your books. Is this one never to be reprinted again?

RWB · July 8, 2008 3:50AM

Reprinting is unlikely. There are too many errors, fabrications and out-of-date listings for anyone to go to the expense of reprinting what is essentially an obsolete book. Too bad, though, because there is a lot of good stuff between those covers.

keets · July 8, 2008 3:55AM

too many errors, fabrications and out-of-date listings for anyone to go to the expense of reprinting what is essentially an obsolete book.

Too bad, though, because there is a lot of good stuff between those covers.

wowzer, good recovery!!!!

numisma · July 8, 2008 4:00AM

I bought two extra copies last year for this reason, but the prices are about the same as they were last year. It may take a few years before they break the $300 level.

Broadstruck · July 8, 2008 4:04AM

I'm also sitting on a spare copy, and wondered about the reprint rights myself... but then RWB stands correct!

Dave99B · July 8, 2008 4:05AM

Well worth it....if you only can have one book, this is it.

Dave

Coinosaurus · July 8, 2008 4:10AM

A real paradox - indispensible and full of crap at the same time - truly a reflection of the author.

ziggy29 · July 8, 2008 4:11AM

<< A real paradox - indispensible and full of crap at the same time - truly a reflection of the author. >>

numisma · July 8, 2008 4:12AM

<< A real paradox - indispensible and full of crap at the same time - truly a reflection of the author. >>

Brilliant!

Broadstruck · July 8, 2008 4:13AM

<< A real paradox - indispensible and full of crap at the same time - truly a reflection of the author. >>

You need to read between the lines!

BECOKA · July 8, 2008 4:26AM

This is one book I really would like to own someday but that price is the one thing holding me back.

ziggy29 · July 8, 2008 4:27AM

<< 

<< A real paradox - indispensible and full of crap at the same time - truly a reflection of the author. >>

Brilliant! >>

Hope he doesn't mind my stealing that for my signature. Full credit will be given.

Darkwaverave · July 8, 2008 4:37AM

I just bought an extra copy for $50 buck on Ebay, was that a good deal?

Ebay copy

rays · July 8, 2008 4:39AM

There is nothing else like Breen's book, and I don't see anyone else undertaking such a task again.

RWB · July 8, 2008 4:44AM

A real paradox...

Does that mean you must have two copies? One to "save" and one to mark up all the crap?

Broadstruck · July 8, 2008 4:46AM

<< I just bought an extra copy for $50 buck on Ebay, was that a good deal?

Ebay copy >>

That was a rip as for $50 you can't even get a copy that has a broken spine.

dbldie55 · July 8, 2008 5:00AM

Bought a new copy at the '96 ANA in Denver and another off of Ebay in '98. Paid $100 for the new copy and $50 for the one on Ebay. Didn't realize they had increased in value this much. Perhaps I should sell one.

ziggy29 · July 8, 2008 5:01AM

<< That was a rip as for $50 you can't even get a copy that has a broken spine.

>>

Finding a copy of Breen without a broken spine is like trying to find an original and authentic AU Seated Dollar. They're out there, but you're going to really pay.

jmcu12 · July 8, 2008 5:03AM

<< Darkwaverave >>

You suck! Good Score!

copperfan · July 8, 2008 5:16AM

I paid IIRC $125 afew years ago in Baltimore. Got a few great books and 2-3 old Mehl auction catalogs. $50 for this book is a sweet deal!

Coinosaurus · July 8, 2008 5:28AM

<< A real paradox...

Does that mean you must have two copies? One to "save" and one to mark up all the crap? >>

I have only one copy, with a split binding. It's the first place you go to look. You take it with a grain of salt, and go from there.

lkeigwin · July 8, 2008 5:31AM

I made the mistake of reading too much about Breen's past. We all have obsessions but his are unforgiveable. Anyone else feel this way? I'm a little embarrassed to admit it.

ziggy29 · July 8, 2008 5:35AM

<< I made the mistake of reading too much about Breen's past. We all have obsessions but his are unforgiveable. Anyone else feel this way? I'm a little embarrassed to admit it. >>

We've discussed it many times here -- whether or not one can separate Breen's numismatic research from Breen's personal demons, and whether or not Breen's work can (or should) "stand apart" from his crimes.

Some people believe that his work (both the brilliant and the fabricated) and his personal life are intertwined and that thus all of his work is invalidated and not worthy of any consideration. Other people believe the two can be separated and that the baby doesn't need to be thrown out with the bathwater.

I don't think either side will be convinced by the other. It's almost like debating politics and religion.

Goldbully · July 8, 2008 5:40AM

Book Link

Goldbully · July 8, 2008 5:45AM

I did not know this one....................NAMBLA???

***Breen's pederasty was both a kept secret and tolerated behavior in both science fiction and numismatic circles; he was banned from the 1964 Worldcon science fiction convention due to his behavior with children - although he took a room at the convention hotel - a controversy which became known as the "Breendoggle".

Breen was first arrested in the 1950s for "lewd behavior", exposing himself to young boys under a boardwalk in Atlantic City. For a while, he was a leading member of NAMBLA. He was arrested on child molestation charges in 1990, and offered a plea bargain, which resulted in three years' probation. In 1991 he was charged with eight felony counts of child molestation involving a 13-year-old boy, the stepson of science fiction writer Stephen Goldin.

Breen was diagnosed with liver cancer in 1992, but was sentenced to 10 years in prison nevertheless. He died in prison in Chino, California the next year.***

Wik Link

numisma · July 8, 2008 5:46AM

<< Book Link >>

The cheapest at the link above is $266. The two at Amazon for $105 and $135 are "out of stock".

adamlaneus · July 8, 2008 5:48AM

OT...

The computer world also has folks 'with issues':

Reiser.

*shudder*

ziggy29 · July 8, 2008 5:48AM

<< The cheapest at the link above is $266. The two at Amazon for $105 and $135 are "out of stock". >>

Just like all those places listed as carrying a Wii for $250.

WaterSport · July 8, 2008 5:49AM

I have two, one for office and home. I did see the jump about two years ago from $100 to $200...guess it now worth a tad more.

WS

Prethen · July 8, 2008 7:45AM

Whoa...there's a seller out there looking for almost $1000 for the book and several at over $300. I was fortunate enough to find mine for $60 on eBay a couple of years ago.

I will try to keep my book in its pristine condition. I think it's gone up more in price than most of my coins!

ziggy29 · July 8, 2008 7:46AM

<< I will try to keep my book in its pristine condition. I think it's gone up more in price than most of my coins! >>

Gonna slab it?

LanLord · July 8, 2008 7:47AM

I'm looking for the breens encyclopidia with the reverse of 2007, i'm gonna stock up on that one, should make big bucks

ziggy29 · July 8, 2008 7:48AM

<< I'm looking for the breens encyclopidia with the reverse of 2007, i'm gonna stock up on that one, should make big bucks

>>

Thanks to LanLord's Discovery, Breen Encyclopedias with.... aww, never mind.

Broadstruck · July 8, 2008 7:51AM

<< 

<< I will try to keep my book in its pristine condition. I think it's gone up more in price than most of my coins! >>

Gonna slab it?

>>

Get it Stickered Too!

Unknown · July 8, 2008 8:00AM

This content has been removed.

TavernTreasures · July 8, 2008 8:16AM

The author. Circa 1983.

Nic · July 8, 2008 8:20AM

Great book ... fiction and all. K

Broadstruck · July 8, 2008 8:26AM

There's always his other book "Greek Love" written under his alias J. Z. Eglinton, which will also never be reprinted.

copperfan · July 8, 2008 8:28AM

100, Wheres those guys with the popcorn?

rgCoinGuy · July 8, 2008 8:29AM

<< There's always his other book "Greek Love" written under his alias J. Z. Eglinton, which will also never be reprinted. >>

Still available though

Bayard1908 · July 8, 2008 8:31AM

<< This is one book I really would like to own someday but that price is the one thing holding me back. >>

Although I do own his proof coins encyclopedia, which is more than adequate for my needs.

Broadstruck · July 8, 2008 8:40AM

<< 

<< There's always his other book "Greek Love" written under his alias J. Z. Eglinton, which will also never be reprinted. >>

Still available though >>

I'm in shock that that was republished 11 years after his arrest... what's next Jeffrey Dahmer's Vittles and Greens Cookbook

coinkat · July 8, 2008 9:03AM

I believe there is more than one edition date to this book

Silverstate · July 8, 2008 10:10AM

<< 100, Wheres those guys with the popcorn? >>

Elcontador · July 8, 2008 10:17AM

I got the Breen book at Long Beach in 1990. I may have bought it from him, I forget. Picked up Noyes' Large Cent books at the same time.

I also know a guy whose job one year at the ANA was to keep Breen away from the YNs. One person on this very forum has a photo of himself sitting in Walter Breen's lap! No, I am NOT going to 'out' the guy.

Silverstate · July 8, 2008 10:27AM

I was all of 13-14 when I was attending EAC conventions (1975 - 1976) with Breen as the main speaker in Los Angeles.
He seemed to dress with smocks much like I would have expected at Woodstock.
OR like a guy you would expect to own and run a smoke shop.

He was interesting to listen to. I had no idea at the time that I was at risk!
My folks would ask how the coin show was...
There was some hippie guy that told us all about US coins.....
At least I was with my Scoutmaster at the time that was and is still a strong EAC guy.

Breen's Encylopedia of U.S. Coins

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