Best coin books available

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Swervo513, Dec 29, 2012.

  1. Swervo513

    Swervo513 Well-Known Member

    Hello everyone,

    I did a search and realized there are no threads which list the best coin books available. So, after being told I have a wide range of interests I thought it would be useful to have a thread posting the best coin books of their particular area or genre. I am sure opinions will vary so to keep it simple lets just post books on coins of different countries and eras. Books that describe the rarity and value of the coin would be best. History of the coin is a plus but not necessary.

    Thanks,
    post away!
     
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  3. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    There have actually been quite a few threads on this subject. And there have even been more posts about books within other threads on other subjects.

    This is a picture of just my numismatic books. And it's an old picture, there are lots more now.

    books.jpg

    I guess the point I am trying to make is there are tons of books about coins. The vast majority of all those in the pic are about world coins, with a few about US coins here and there. Now imagine if you can, if you counted all of those and multiplied it by thousands, you still wouldn't have all of the books about coins that have been written. With more being written every day. I'm helping a friend in Poland write one right now, been working on it for well over a year. And maybe another year to go yet.

    If you pick a particular subject or coin, then I will try and list a good book on that subject. But just to start making a list ? Not enough hours in the day !
     
  4. Tom B

    Tom B TomB Everywhere Else

    I would be willing to help with references if you had an idea about what you are looking for. As is, I own scores of numismatic books, but do not feel like writing out all these references if most would be ignored. Can you be more specific about what you may be interested in reading? It would help many of us to help you.
     
  5. marid3

    marid3 Member

  6. doug444

    doug444 STAMPS and POSTCARDS too!

    Is the card catalog (or some kind of list) of the ANA Library online? If so, all the work's been done for you. And that extends to any other university or organization with a numismatic library.

    But it makes a lot more sense to focus on, say, 7 areas of interest, and find the 7 best books in each. Some will be on Amazon as private sales, then you can read a couple of sample pages to see if they're what you want. Finally, there's always the Interlibrary Loan (see the article in Wikipedia) to actually borrow the books, often free of charge.
     
  7. Swervo513

    Swervo513 Well-Known Member

    I do appreciate the scope of the amount of coin books out there. But there has to be a best book in the genre no? It could just be your favorite? Just wanted to make a place where we can throw around ideas about books.

    Personally I am interested in colonial coins (Spanish,English), roman coins, counter stamped coins, english silver pennies, and early American. The list does go on. But I would also like to hear one or two of your favorites.
     
  8. Swervo513

    Swervo513 Well-Known Member

    Hey so I am at Barnes and nobles and about to check out with some coin books.
    I am looking at a few and just tell me if I should leave some at the store.

    -2011 standard catalog of world coins 1901-2000 by George s. Cuhaj and Thomas Michael.
    -2013 North American coins and prices. By Harry miller and Thomas Michael.
    -The coin collectors survival manual 7th edition by Scott a travers
    -warmans coins and paper money 5th edition by arlyn sieber
    -And the 4th edition of the United States red book.

    Thanks
     
  9. doug444

    doug444 STAMPS and POSTCARDS too!

    Don't buy ANY of them. Wait two weeks and let the coin and stamp supply dealers fill your emailbox with end-of-year and clearance specials - there will be tons of deals. The Cuhaj is out of date, and you've copied down the wrong edition on the Redbook. I am not familiar with Miller, but all his data already appears in the Redbook and a current Cuhaj, as far as I can tell from the title. Don't be in such a hurry. Save $25-50 by doing a little comparison shopping.
     
  10. Swervo513

    Swervo513 Well-Known Member

    Thanks Doug. I'm going to leave the warmans and the Cuhaj. But I'm going to purchase the others as I dislike ordering books online. I rarely have days off so these will keep me busy at night. The coin collectors survival manual seems like the perfect book for a newbie like me. I know I am overpaying slightly as prices on amazon are about half what they are here at b&n. call me stupid but I will pay extra to start reading tonight. Also the miller book is pretty good. It has coins from us, Canada, and Mexico up until 17th century. Any more advice is appreciated I am still here. Thanks for the quick reply
     
  11. easj3699

    easj3699 Well-Known Member

  12. Swervo513

    Swervo513 Well-Known Member

  13. doug444

    doug444 STAMPS and POSTCARDS too!

    That sounds like a decent compromise.
     
  14. Danr

    Danr Numismatist

    As a general everyday thing it has to be the classic-- the Red Book
     
  15. hontonai

    hontonai Registered Contrarian

    Perhaps for collectors of US coins, but what earthly help would a Red Book be regarding my Japanese occupied territory collection?
     
  16. Danr

    Danr Numismatist

    true- that would take a more specialized book. For the typical collector the Red Book is probably the most popular (I'd bet you have one there somewhere) ;)
     
  17. Swervo513

    Swervo513 Well-Known Member

    Perhaps you could tell us what a good book for that is? :)
     
  18. hontonai

    hontonai Registered Contrarian

    In addition to their mention in Krause and the Japanese Numismatic Dealers Assn. annual catalogs, the coins of Manchukuo and the other Chinese puppet states, along with the coins issued for use in Java, are covered in reasonable detail by the late Michael L. Cummings, in Modern Japanese Coinage, 2d Ed. (1978). I'm not aware of any other English language reference, so it's the best because it's the only.

    Other than the Krause and JNDA catalogs, I've never found an English language work dealing with the Korean Protectorate period, around the turn of the 20th Century before Korea was incorporated into Japan as a province. If there is one, I'd love to have it.
     
  19. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Then you're going to have a problem because probably 99% of the books you'll want or need are not going to be found in a brick and mortar book store. You are going to have to resign yourself to ordering books on-line if you want to get the books at all. Sorry, but that's just a fact of life.

    There are a couple of other things you need to understand. As a general rule, numismatic books worth having are not cheap ! So be prepared for sticker shock. And, you are not always going to be able to find the book you want right when you want it. Sometimes it takes a while. There have been books I wanted that it took me years to find. But if you keep looking, and are patient, you can find them.

    Now, as for some recommendations; you mentioned :
    British - Coins Of England & The United Kingdom by Spink.

    Spanish colonial - The Milled Columnarios of Central & South America 1732-1772 by Frank Gilboy; and - Cobs, Pieces of Eight and Treasure Coins by Sewall Menzel.

    Early American ( I assume you mean American colonial) - Colonial And Early American Coins by Q. David Bowers.

    Now to help you find those books, use the links you find here - http://www.cointalk.com/t13899/

    And as I said, you are going to have to do this on-line or not do it all.
     
  20. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

  21. Swervo513

    Swervo513 Well-Known Member

    Thanks gdj and conder. Those recommendations are helpful. I realized that I would have to order online yesterday when I went to b&n. There was a poor selection. But I did get something to start. They had an overpriced cuhaj but I think I a, going to order a few issues of his work online. Good advice is much appreciated!
     
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