Hey all, Recently i have been talking to some collector friends about how reading as much as possible before buying is very beneficial. I agree and want to start taking this hobby more seriously and learn everything i can. So i was hoping that some of you more experienced members could suggest some books for me to read to take my knowledge of coins to the next level. Obviously i have read almost the entire 2012 red book cover to cover. Thanks in advance for all the help. Happy collecting! -Ryan
There are books at my local coin shop that deals specifically with individual series of coins. In depth look at Morgans, Lincolns etc. I have scanned over the Morgan book and they take a look at each year showing different details and they also talk about how well or how poor the strikes are. They talk about how popular the DMPL coins are for that series. I am sure they offer more if you dig into it as well.
This is an area of numismatics that is, and should be a primary effort for any individual collector, beginner or seasoned. Building a reference library of numismatic literature by comparison to assembling any coin, medal or token collection, is quite within the financial reach of all. One will be thrust, back in time to become friends with individuals who's names are rarely if ever mentioned in the course of this present day arena. The wealth of knowledge to be gained, is only restricted by your own desire. There are Numismatic Literature Dealers that present regular auctions for the Bibliophile. A dear friend, Dr. Joel Orosz and Len Augsburger recently published " The Secret History Of the First United States Mint". While I of course purchased one of only 25 special bound copies, the work is available in paperback at a very reasonable asking. This is a MUST READ for any numismatic collector. The previous published work by Frank Stewart in 1924 until now was a primary reference about our first Mint, which was reprinted about 1974 I believe. Take a ride into history and pickup a copy of this wonderful book and from time-to - time check out the Numismatic Literature Auctions.
Dr. Joel Orosz is but one of a handful of current day Numismatic Authors of which I am blessed with their personal friendship. The brilliant works of D. Q. Bowers are packed with so much vital information and written in such a manner, that you are there in the period, you can't hardly put the book down. One of my personal favorites of his is the the story of Augustus Sage, Numismatics before the Civil War, which I am proud to own the signed authors " proof copy " as well as one of the limited first editions copies . A fascinating work among many, many others . Once you start on this road for knowledge, you simply cannot or want to stop.
Walter Been encyclopedia and other good books are for sale right now on CU. They are asking $125 for the Breen http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=7&threadid=821498 book.http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=7&threadid=817346
US Mint and Coinage by Don Taxay (A good early history of the Mint) The Error Coin Encyclopedia by Arnold Margolis (indepth information on the actual coining process and what can go wrong.) Renaissance of American Coinage 1907 - 1921 by Roger Burdette (Three volume set, VERY good) I like most anything by R W Julian or Craig Sholley (sp?) but they may be a little to advanced/specialized for what you want right now. And then there are a ton of specialized books and articles about various series. And we haven't even touched on anything that is non-Federal US.
