Book Review: The Art and Science of Grading Coins

I have posted a condensed review on Amazon.

 

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That's awesome. Thanks!

 

Jason,

I have received my copy of your book. I find it extremely well written,highly informative, and generally a book that all serious collectors would do well to have in their library.

The only point I have found so far with which I would debate you is found in the notion that ALL currencies are fiat currencies. In the good old USA the currency is and has been the dollar. It is the currency that monetizes the metal, not the other way around. The value of the metal for money on the gold standard, for instance, is set by the government. A fiat, if you will

 

Thank you for the compliment - I am glad you are enjoying the book.

I don't really want to get into a discussion of that topic here (that discussion tends to get very heated and political), but that would be an excellent discussion for a new thread.

 

I hear you on the heat and politics. I try to stay clear of the political aspect of it. Whereas your background is in the science and applied sciences, mine is International Finance and Business Economics. I try to go at if from that perspective.

You have a good point that it should be a seperate thread. I am not sure if I care to start it though. Because of the heat and the politics involved and this site is about numismatics.

 

Well I got it..and am 1/3 through...

Ah she doesn't mind I guess. I will post a better review later but I too agree the pictures are hard to follow when reading. I find myself staring at them trying to see what is described. I personally think it is my understanding and not the pictures. It is hard to post a good pic of a cartwheel effect. So far I am liking it, and I will tell you this, I can already see some cases where it will be a great reference book to go back and familiarize oneself with a concept. I am a redneck engineer and I can follow it pretty darn well. Nice job.

When I finish I will update and maybe post on Amazon for you...

One suggestion...since you own the pictures, upload the color ones to a free site such as postimage.org and start a link here. That way I can come here and stare a the picture with better detail to try and grasp what you are trying to convey.


+1

 

I agree with all of the above, especially recommending to all coin collectors!

 

geekpryde - thanks for the review. I hadn't heard of any issues with print quality before. I'm not sure what happened with your copy. As you may know, Amazon prints all the books themselves. Try letting them know about your issue, and see if they will replace it.

 

Ordering a copy tonight. Looks like an interesting read.

 

Just finished it. Of course it was placed in the reading room so came in small spurts.

Excellent sir! I did get a lot from it and would consider it a good book for those wanting to understand the concept of grading from start to finish.

A suggestion. If you do a 2nd edition, you will need to add color photos and more of them. Take a few of each concept and differentiate between what you are saying and what is being shown. I think you have a good method of explaining a sometimes hard to explain concept. I could see it in my mind, but at times I wanted a picture to confirm what I am thinking.

I know it would cost more, but it would be worth it. As it is, it should still be part of a collectors numismatic library.

8/10

Ethan

 

Thanks Ethan, I really appreciate the comments.