Becker The Counterfeiter

I was ordering supplies recently found a real gem. Copies of Becker The Counterfeiter, by George F. Hill, 1979 Obol hardcover reprint. It is a highly important work, one that anyone should have in their collection even if they are not interested in his coins or the types he copied. It has a wonderful biography and gives great insight into the coin trade, fakes, methods, detection, etc. Anyway, although a reprint (and a 1979 one at that) these are brand new old stock, just been sitting in a warehouse for nearly 40 years! If you ever wanted a copy (or never heard of it) now is the time. I highly doubt the title will ever be reprinted.

Best part: $10.48!!!! Astounding. So, here is the link:

http://www.brooklyngallery.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=0278-COA475

 

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I have not seen this reprint but have the later 1995 paperback version which I assume to be similar. I don't believe the book will protect many of us from being cheated by fake Beckers especially since his originals are worth quite a bit in their own right. The fakes made by others from his dies or casts from his originals are pretty obvious. A major point IMO is the fact that Becker usually faked really rare coins. If you are buying super rare coins and don't have enough sense to buy from proper sources, I am having trouble mustering up much sympathy. The book shows many coins and is fun to see but the best part is the text explaining the life and efforts of Becker. He would have been quite the guy to know in his day.

In the book is a quote from Becker which sounds a lot like something our own Stevex6 once said regarding suspect coins:
"I am of the opinion that they should be returned. For it is my principle to accept nothing if one requires to convince oneself that it is good; it must speak for itself."

I suggest you consider Ken's recommendation to buy the book but, if you do, for heaven's sake, read it.

The same seller has a section of other sale books including several on monies of the Bible which might interest some here. I do not know the books so I can not say if they are necessary or not but they are cheap. One comes with a couple fakes mounted in the cover that will enable you to recognize them when someone posts them here again.

 

Well, this is working out well for the dealer -- when I saw how high their shipping charges are, I started looking around for other things to bundle with the order, and now I'm getting ready to order a couple years' worth of supplies. Just hope the book doesn't sell out before I check out...!

 

Thanks for pointing out that gouging. $7.15 postage, no thanks.

 

Meh. You could pick it up from Amazon Prime with free shipping for -- rats, not available on Prime. Three sellers have it in stock with $3.99 shipping, at a price of, let's see, $75.00.

Probably not a good candidate for the fast flip, though. I'm thinking if they get a half-dozen orders out of this thread, that'll be about three years' worth of market activity on this particular book...

 

I am not sure I would say their shipping is gouging or excessive. They sell a majority to dealers and their fees are structured to work actually in our benefit (and theirs), but not for a $10 order obviously. They are one of the biggest supplies wholesaler in the country and as such they typically get orders for larger quantities. While their website sucks they do provide a large print catalog which is extensive to say the least. I've bought from them since the 80's with no complaints. We have all been spoiled with the concept of free or cheap shipping, but thats an illusion obviously. Those costs are always structured into a sell price. It's still there but harder to see.

Add to that the ask price and its still 65% less than any I found elsewhere and you still have to add shipping with those prices. Still a bargain. But, these guys also have other titles nobody else in the country (or world that I have see) has. Essential books like those from Icard, Milne, Plant and more.

 

Why can't they ship it via media mail?

 

Good question, but it wasn't offered as an option. Their online ordering system is fairly bare-bones. I'm guessing books aren't a big part of their business.

 

Good question. They only use UPS or FEDEX. Media Mail is astonishingly cheap, but I think their books are just a supplement to the supplies.

 

I emailed them about the media mail. We'll see what they say.

 

That would be my guess as well. Media mail is supposed to be literally just for media with content (printed books, music CDs, etc.)

 

I believe that any book would qualify. See info here:

http://about.usps.com/notices/not121/not121.htm

Media Mail rates are limited to the items listed below:​

• • Books (at least 8 pages).
  • Sound recordings and video recordings, such as CDs and DVDs.
  • Playscripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.
  • Printed music.
  • Computer-readable media containing prerecorded information and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such media.
  • Sixteen millimeter or narrower width films.
  • Printed objective test materials and their accessories.
  • Printed educational reference charts.
  • Loose-leaf pages and their binders consisting of medical information for distribution to doctors, hospitals, medical schools, and medical students.

 

Right. I'm saying that since they frequently ship things that are not media mail, they may not use it.

 

Ah. Gotcha.

 

It will be interesting to see if they ship your book by media mail or if they just consider books a supply and don't bother. It is rather like a dealer that sells a $5 coin but requires you to pay Registered mail rates.

 

I have the same 1995 paperback as Doug. There are 40 pages on Becker's career as a forger written by George Hill, keeper of coins at the British Museum, who had access to Becker's diaries. There are also photo plates of the fakes and footnotes.

I paid $20 plus $3 shipping and thought I got a bargain. Sorry you guys are getting ripped off at $10 plus $7 shipping.

It is a good book if you are interested in 19th century numismatics, or engraving, or forgery.

This article on Becker shows his dekadrachm of Akragas copy. Becker's fake sold in a CNG auction, as a Becker, for $1840. Hill's book tells you that he cut that die in July 1825 and that it only took him 18 hours to engrave!

If anyone likes to read about the numismatists of 200 years ago another decent $10 title is Valentine DuVal.

 

They offer the option of UPS (you pick the service level, from ground to next-day air) or USPS (only Priority Mail, as far as I can tell).

Priority Mail was slightly cheaper for my order than UPS Ground, even after adding in another eight pounds or so of supplies. (UPS, what happened to you? You used to be cost-effective...)

 

An eBay search also turned up this listing:

Full - Solid Gold AUREUS CAESAR / OCTAVIANUS, by Becker, the Counterfeiter

Listed at 999 pounds + 35 pounds shipping, but apparently went for 900 pounds + 20 shipping.

 

The seller told me via email that they might be willing to send it media mail if you contact them and mail payment ahead of time.

 

Just wanted to give a quick thanks to @Ken Dorney - got my Becker The Counterfeiter and Guide to Biblical Coins today. I'm looking forward to reading both and the little catalogue BGCS sent along got a little perusing too.