New Purchases - Early Quarter Dollars Deluxe, Reiver's VIM, and the Asylum

I rarely write posts on new purchases, but I just added some really cool books to my library, so I thought I'd share. Only a few bibliophiles read these boards so I added some other information regarding the references, to make the post enjoyable and useful to everyone reading.

In 2010, a major reference was published as an 'update' to the Browning book published 80 or so years prior. Many of the major names in quarter die marriage collecting gathered to tackle the momentous task ahead, hobby giants including Glenn Peterson, Brad Karoleff, Rory Rea, and John Kovach. What was produced proved to be nothing short of phenomenal, with excellent photographs of each die marriage, along with population reports, updated rarity ratings and more. Unbelievably on 2 years earlier, another early quarter reference had been published, Early Quarter Dollars 1796-1838 by Steve Tompkins; as a result Bust Quarter collectors now have two excellent references to study their coins.

The first of my purchases is a deluxe, leather-bound edition of the former, Early Quarter Dollars of the United States Mint 1796-1838 by Rea, et. al. The "mintage" was set at 50 signed and number copies, but my example is neither. After some intensive "Google-ing" I learned that 5 unsigned, unnumbered copies were produced, one which, is mine. The book is bound in black leather and includes 15 high quality plates of coins from the collection of Eric P. Newman, it is quite a sight to behold.

Next is a copy of Jules Reiver's VIM or Variety Identification Manual for Reed Edge Half Dollars. I was very happy to learn that I won this guide for only $44 dollars in a recent book auction. I didn't purchase it for use, as it is generally very difficult to use and is outdated, not to the discredit of the author though. In fact, Jules Reiver was one of the most important numismatist there was when it comes to the study of Bust die marriages. He kept extensive notes and a huge reference collection for all early US series, half cents-dollars, and maybe even others (I have to check). The Heritage catalog containing his collection is required reading for an student of early US coinage. Anyway, back to the book, I purchased it as a piece of numismatic history and to read some of the work produced by the hands of a die marriage king! So I am happy to have it even if it does just sit on my shelf.

(Just as a quick note, for anyone interested in collecting Reeded Edge Bust Half Dollars, there is a new book, recently published written by Dick Graham, that covers the series in excellent detail. The masterful introduction was even written by this forum's own TomB!)

The last, is the most recent copy of The Numismatic Bibliomania Society's official publication, "The Asylum". It has to be the most clever name for any numismatic journal; as anyone crazy enough to collect books about collecting coins certainly belongs in one. The newest issue Volume 31, Issue 3, includes a review of a book on Confederate Paper money, Numismatic Literature for Liberty Seated Half Dime collectors and my favorite, "Limited Edition Silver Coin References" by Brad Karoleff. As you could have guessed, the articles are wonderfully written, as any by a bibliophile would be and the topics are wide ranging enough for any collector to enjoy.

Well, that's it for now. If you'd like to hear any more about the two books or are interested in Early coinage and want to talk about the literature or the coins themselves, feel free to send me a PM or post a thread about it. I posted pictures below, so you could see what the books look like. Sorry for the sub-par photography. Also, if you'd like to hear a review on these books or any other Bust related material, please let me know. If I have it, I'd be happy to write a review about it.

Woah, you've made it this far? You're dedicated! Bravo! Thanks for reading!
Jesse

 

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Congrats CB. That one of 5 produced is quite amazing (well 55, but you know what I'm saying)

I have recently been focusing on my little library and have added a few good books lately. In fact I just received the book that Bowers wrote for John Hopkins University about the Garret Collection. I was surprised at the info contained and am looking forward to delving further into it.



That's a sample of the title page. I love all the pictures and descriptions and then how it goes it to the additional information whether it be about the Garrett family or the history of coin collecting. So far it has been a very enjoyable book.

 

I'm impressed by the VIM book. All of Reiver's VIM guides are hard to find. I don't have a "real" copy of the reeded edge half VIM, but when the Reiver collection was sold Heritage posted the VIM guide online for awhile and I was able to download all of it plus the photos of the varieties from Reiver's collection. I do have copies of the half dime and bust quarter VIM's.

 

Thank you for the complement. Believe it or not, after 6 months or so of looking for VIMs, I just receiving my second, only a few weeks after the first. Not to mention, it is from my favorite of the Bust denominations - half dimes! Snagged it from a BIN listing, only a hour or so old, very cheaply I might add. (Picture is from the seller)



I'm putting together a thread on a very important piece, regarding the study of early coinage; I may be able to finish it tonight.

Jesse

 

At one time I had two copies of the half dime VIM. Loaned on copy to another collector, new saw it again.