Anyone here collect early American gold coins? I don't have any but I'm completely mesmerized by their beauty. I plan on eventually trying to build up a complete set of either quarter or half eagles from 1795-1834, this should take me a lifetime but I love challenges. Let's see some pictures.
This is one of the most challenging areas of numismatics. One is well advised to follow the time-honored "Coin Talk Creed", namely "Buy the book before the coin.". Here are couple of very entertaining titles : "Encyclopedia of US Gold Coins 1795 - 1933" By Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth "Early US Gold Coin Varieties" by John Dannreuther and Harry Bass The former is the ultimate "coffee table" book with a discussion of every gold coin ever made in the United States, including some which exist only in The Smithsonian. The latter is an attribution book and describes the "old tenor" coins before 1834's Classic Head design; all known die marriages are included. A magnum opus for sure.
I've always wanted some early gold as part of a type set. Haven't yet gotten the first coin -- many of the series intimidate me, frankly, as they are far outside my normal collecting interest. Someday... Wonderful pieces, guys.
