Well, you guys have certainly convinced me of the value of reading and research, so I'm looking at some specialist literature. I want to know more about US gold coins, particularly $2.50 / $5 / $10 Libs and Indians. I keep seeing Breen's name every where I go, and I want to learn more. So I went to Amazon.com and did a search on Walter Breen. Man ! This guy really cranked out some paperwork. But a lot of them are really expensive. For instance copies of "Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of US Coins" start at $170, and go as high as $448 ! Ouch. So which of his many titles are really good AND relevant today ? Are there any that are "must read" ? Of course, I'm not stuck on Breen. the "Encyclopedia of US Coins" was published almost 20 years ago. Are there newer books which are better ? Recommendations, anyone ?
I personally highly recommend the PCGS Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection book. i think it's on 2nd edition now, but absolutely invaluable for US coins
900: The encyclopedia is really very good, of course there are errors and omissions, but it is still a very valuable reference, aside from that the specific series each have references. As for Breen, you should be able to get one for about $125 or so.
Yeah, Breen's Encyclopedia is an excellent buy. As the other said, errors and omissions are to be expected, but it's still a fine, fine book. I paid about $80 for mine. You might want to try www.abebooks.com as well, you can get a good deal there sometimes. My understanding is that Breen also wrote a few books on gold, incuilding one on fractional gold with a gentleman named Grillo, which is the standard reference on that type. As for his other gold books, I've never had the pleasure to run across one and peruse it, nor have I met anyone that has one, so I can't say anything about their usefulness. I can say that most if not all of them are out-of-print, and are likely to be expensive. Good luck, Fish
You might want to try - Encyclopedia of US Gold Coins 1795 - 1933 by Jeff Garret & Ron Guth. It has them all including circulating, Proof, commemorative and pattern issues.
like speedy said, I got mine for $50, you can find them on the cheap every now and then when someone really doesn't know what they are getting rid of
