How much have you spent on your numismatic library?

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I've spent roughly $1200 on books. I've been in the hobby about 2 years. The books have been invaluable. I continue to add as I get through the ones I own.

 

Just did that full package. I don't collect any particular cent coins, but I sure would appreciate folks helping me publish a book.

 

I have bought 2 redbooks over the years which I did read cover to cover, so less than $100. With smart phones and the internet it almost seems crazy to spend a ton on reference books. I have had subscriptions to different coin magazines over the years so it might be closer to $200.

I keep all my want lists, all my owned lists and have easy references to most sites like numismedia or ebay at my fingertips (I know not the best tool but between ebay and it I can get a fair estimate of FMV on any coin).

When I purchased my trade dollar I printed out a ten page sheet on how to spot fakes spent an hour looking at the coin, then took pics which I posted on the internet and had others help me as well, then went back and spent another thirty minutes looking at the coin a week later before buying. The internet is such a powerful tool, reference books are great but I just don't see myself sitting down and reading them.

There is a ton more I'd like to learn maybe I'll grab a book or maybe I will use the internet instead (wanting to expand and start a collection of world Crowns from the 1800's to the early 1900's).

 

Don't forget all that cash you have invested into one of the greatest coin resources of all...Coin Talk!

 

One of the first numismatic books I wanted was way back in 1972--the first edition of the Standard Catalog of World Coins. It was pricey at $10 a copy. Mom said, "no way, too expensive." She did relent two years later when the price was $12.50. Today, that one volume book is in multiple parts and is absolutely huge, costing several hundred dollars for all volumes.

 

so what would be a good reference book to study buffalo nickels and indian head quarter eagles

 

$10,000? That's quite the investment. Then again you are a much larger dealer than I. My total investment is at $250 right now.

 

Don't I know it. I have ALL of them from 1972 to 2015 Including all the different centuries after they split them up into multiple volumes.

At least he is a dealer. I'm just a collector.

 

I've spent several thousand probably around 4k especially in the last year building my library between books catalogs periodicals and a coinfacts subscription and there's still quite a bit I lack all my references are in us coins specifically pre 1900 coins as that's where my interests lie. I'm much more the type to sit down and read a actual book then look at a screen probably why I read far more then watch tv that and there's usually nothing on

 

Thanks peter!

 

@LostDutchman what is the most expensive book in that strap of Franklins collection you got there?

 

My most expensive is The Bazaar Exchange and Mart 1880 - 1889 $500 They only printed 90 copies, I have copy 61.

 

My most expensive?

A whole lot!

Actually I have a number of Guide Books -- 1st Edition, 1st & 2nd printings, worth a lot.
Plus Special Editions, like the 1987 ANA signed by Yeoman and the other dignitaries worth at least 4 figures.

 

My library is ever expanding. Brought these two home today for another $40

 

Approximately $4,500

 

The book I paid the most for was a 1965 copy of the Diffenbacher counterfeit gold book. Almost completely written in German... But if you know what you are looking at you can make sense of the pics.

 

Was, du kein Deutsch sprechen