Any good books about collecting gold coins?
Moonbiter
Posts: 652 ✭✭
I have gold fever, and I've decided to make my next several purchases gold coins. Are there any good books out there that focus on gold coins that are informative about characteristics of gold coins? I don't have a series that I'm specializing in so I need a good broad view book.
Thanks.
Thanks.
0
Comments
He also wrote a book on Carson City gold coins, but I don't know if that has been superceded by Rusty Goe's book.
He's also written or co-written books on double eagles and Indian Head quarter eagles.
Best of all, there are a ton of articles on his website.
I also highly recommend the Red Book of Double Eagles, one of the Whitman series. This book, by Q. David Bowers, has a lot of great history about double eagles in general as well as information about each coin.
David Akers wrote a series of books about gold coins about 20 years ago - they focus on auction records, but also have information about each coin. He also wrote a book on 20th Century gold coins.
Garrett and Guth's Encyclopedia of Gold Coins is a pretty good overview - each coin gets a picture and about a third of a page of info.
You might also want to visit the Southern Gold Society's website for some general information about the three southern mints (see my sig line).
Check out the Southern Gold Society
<< <i>Encyclopedia of US Gold Coins 1795-1933 by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth >>
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I would highly recommend this as it covers everything... then branch out once youv'e found a series of your choice.
Just a word of caution...........
There are a lot of people ahead of you in line w/ respect to gold so be cautious. A lot of stuff on the market is throwaway stuff aka mistake purchases... from those who have gone before you and attended the school of hard knocks.
read, read, read. All the books listed above are available for purchase or can be loaned. Don't forget Breen for generic knowledge.
Better date gold is attractive and remember.............gold grades differently than other metals. If you like the eye appeal when you first see it...chances are that the coin might still excite you years from now. And please learn about how the doc's mess with gold so you don't end up with one of those coins. Buy what you like, not what others like. Initially, do your learning from sources that have no vested interest in selling to you.
<< <i>And please learn about how the doc's mess with gold. >>
I've got to ask.
What is the best way to approach this? Without spilling the beans, that is.
I don't know any coin doctors. I suspect if I did know one, the coin doctor would not be forthcoming.
<< <i>Encyclopedia of US Gold Coins 1795-1933 by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth >>
Agree
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870
Many good books out there but you have to read them so don't be shy or lazy and you will be a happy gold camper. As streeter states, gold grades differently than other coins. All the posters to your question are giving you good advice so far. There are many camps to be in so just relax, read up a lot and then pick something you like. There is another book, I can't remember the author, US Gold Coins 1907-1933 that covers mostly the indians but by far the basic text is the Encyclopedia of US Gold Coins. The PCGS book with a title something like Counterfeit Detection should be an early choice also, just to get the feel of the minute distinctive diagnostics for gold coins.
Read first, look around, go to some shows, visit a shop or two. A fool and his money are soon parted so do some things that are fool proof such as stick with slabbed gold at first, buy only things that you put in your hand and you can see, go slowly...go very slowly. There are many very experienced gold collectors on this board so when you have a question or when you want someone to explain something for you go ahead and do it here, you will be very happy you did.
There are many areas to explore and the history of classic or early US gold is expansive, interesting, and will make your hobby immensely enjoyable.
Edited to add: US Gold Coins, An Illustrated History by QDB would be an excellent introductory book if you have a few buks and don't mind having a used book. They are out of print I believe but they can be found from Amazon or some of the on line book sellers. There may even be a copy available from members here if you ask.
by Bill Fivaz
This will help you avoid buying counterfeits.
<< <i>United States Gold Counterfeit Detction Guide
by Bill Fivaz
This will help you avoid buying counterfeits. >>
Yes and no.
It's a must have book if you collect gold coins.
However, after reading it and identifying some bad coins...I am left with the realization that I may not actually be able to detect the REALLY good counterfeits. Not even with a microscope. This may only be fear talking. But my fear of buying counterfeits is still there, even with this book. Now I fear buying a GOOD, difficult to detect counterfeit.
<< <i>
<< <i>United States Gold Counterfeit Detction Guide
by Bill Fivaz
This will help you avoid buying counterfeits. >>
Yes and no.
It's a must have book if you collect gold coins.
However, after reading it and identifying some bad coins...I am left with the realization that I may not actually be able to detect the REALLY good counterfeits. Not even with a microscope. This may only be fear talking. But my fear of buying counterfeits is still there, even with this book. Now I fear buying a GOOD, difficult to detect counterfeit. >>
Yes, I agree. I have this book too and reading it looking at the pictures it seemed hard at first to spot some of the dianostics. But I recommend taking an ANA class on counterfeit detection, that way, you can look at many counterfeit gold coins and tilt them under the light and find the dianoses. It was easier than I thought it was.
If you're interested in buying raw coins, I'd recommend finding a dealer who handles a lot of gold - he'll be able to spot a fake, will have a decent inventory and should (hopefully) offer decent prices. You might have good luck finding such a dealer at a good local or regional show. On the other hand, it might be harder to find such coins already in a slab.
I'd also recommend against paying a premium for a "better" date coin, unless it has genuine collector appeal. For example, collectors put together sets of Charlotte, Dahlonega, New Orleans and Carson City coins, but don't usually put together sets of Philadelphia or San Francisco coins. It might be difficult to get out of a "better date" Philadelphia coin if you pay a premium for it.
On the other hand, because of the mass meltings of US gold coins, you can often get a "better date" Philadelphia coin for the same price you'd pay for a "common date" coin.
Have Fun and don't be afraid to ask questions!
Check out the Southern Gold Society