Building your library on a budget

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by camlov2, Jul 16, 2012.

  1. icerain

    icerain Mastir spellyr

    So now we are talking about book collecting which leads me to wonder. I know when it comes to rare and valuable books, condition matters. Say you buy an expensive coin book and you want to read it. Won't the book lose value once you handle it to read since it may end up creased and all?
     
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  3. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    I admit I use cover protectors on any valuable books. Other than that, if you have clean hands there is not any damage done from using them. It may be the geekiest thing I do, ordering cover protectors for my books, but it helps retain their values.

    Another good reason to buy from used book dealers. If you find a good condition book but slightly used, you are not damaging it in any way. :)
     
  4. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    You make a valid point. When it comes to value condition matters with books just like it does with coins. But if you are careful with your books and how you treat them, just like you are careful with your coins and how you treat them, use will have little impact. Over time the value of the book will increase because it becomes harder and harder to find one.

    But the value of the book is completely a side issue really. The true value is the knowledge you gain from the book and it is obtained by putting that knowledge to use. The monetary value of the book is merely a very nice bonus ;)
     
  5. camlov2

    camlov2 Member

    Just an update with my most recent purchase.

    My main focus right now is Braided Hair cents (1839-1857) so I went and bought the book United States Copper cents to be able and determine varities. It is a nice book that is very detailed but minimal pictures so I was confused about a few items and couldn't seem to attribute the coins very well.

    So....

    I searched online to find out when collections of Braided Hair cents had been sold. I contacted those auction houses and asked if they had back catalogs for sale. I now have two auction catalogs with top quality pictures (from top quality coins) for nearly every single variety known. If you look at the picture shown you will see actual size pictures along with enlargments for each coin. The page lists 1853 coins for varieties n-3, n-4, n-5, n-6. Over 700 pages of details!

    Might it be worth it to look for the same type of catalogs for a type of coin you are interested in?

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  6. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    Yes, excellent point about auction catalogs. Some auction catalogs are coin books in their own right. Shore's collection of Parthian sold by CNG comes to mind, as does the BCD collection that has been sold recently. A top quality auction catalog is a joy to read either way. :)
     
  7. Sandy59

    Sandy59 New Member

    Check local consignment auctions I have bought them when they have a table of odds & ends they start out say $7.00 each your choice
    etc. It goes on for awhile then they make stacks say 8 in a stack, I have bought many coin books mixed in with others for $10.00 a stack . I keep the coin books & donate the ones I do not want to the libary .This happend alot up this way .

    Sandy
     
  8. camlov2

    camlov2 Member

  9. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    That is an excellent resource !
     
  10. Ardatirion

    Ardatirion Où est mon poisson

  11. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    And to think, I throw out about 15 of these every year. :(

    Never get to throw out any CNG literature, though, since maybe I don't spend enough there, (hint hint). :)
     
  12. StGauden658

    StGauden658 Junior Member

  13. StGauden658

    StGauden658 Junior Member

    Here is a photo of my small numismatic library :)
    Numismatic Lib 002.jpg
     
  14. medoraman

    medoraman Supporter! Supporter

    Looks like an excellent resource sir. Don't you find yourself enjoying the coins you own more since you know so much more about them.

    In some ways, I view a good library as a "numismatic enjoyment magnifier", gaining me more enjoyment per dollar spent on coins.
     
  15. StGauden658

    StGauden658 Junior Member

    I agree medoraman .
     
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