I am looking into getting some books on world coins. I just bought the same set for world currency 6 months ago. I really like the books, so i figured i would stick with it for the world coins. Also, it greatly helped to see it reference alot here on CT. Now, for the world currency, the complete set is 3 books. 1 boo is from 1368-1960, vloumne 2 is 1960 to present, and the third is specialized issues. For the worlds coins, it seems to me that there are more volumnes to it. from this is what i found: standard catalog of world coins 1601-1700 - price $65.00 1701-1800 - price $75.00 1801-1900 - price $65.00 1901-2000 - price $55.00 2001-date - price $35.00 the total of it all is $290 - alot more then i thought i would be spending. however, if i continue to dive into world coinage, i think it would benifit me to have the refernece guides. So, i was wondering if the guides went any further back then 1601? If these books could be picked up cheaper then the prices on Krause's site (i will check Amazon)? And which of these books might be best to start with, and pick the rest up as more money becomes available. i was thinking about the 2nd newest book, 1901-2000 because that might be the time frame i would be doing the most buying in - at least until financial issues disapear. any thoughts on these books?
If you don't need pricing and mintage info, then a lot of the data for the coins (including pictures for many) are available for free at www.numismaster.com (same guys that do the books). You will need to register for a (free) account first, though. If you still like a hard copy, a good solution is to go to www.abebooks.com and pick up a second hand, or ex-library copy that might only be a couple of years old. I got mine for less than half price, including shipping, that way.
I bought a lot of my Krause World Coin books for REAL cheap used on amazon...they were library copies like mentioned above.
i do like to get the most recent editions. Prefereably new as well. I just never know if a page or two might be missing, or scribbles and such in the book. I know slightly used books are alot checper, but i guess im just picky there! I did just get This book, but its for currency. It was talked about so much recently, i figured i had to have it otherwise i might be missing something But as for the world coins catalogs, i will check around for pricing, i think Amazon might have them cheaper then Krause website. i will also check out that link Topher mentioned!!!
do yourself a favor and buy it from overstock i have run the numbers multiople time and 90$ they are the cheapest of the lot
Depending on what you're collecting, you may do better getting specialist guides. For example, Spink's Coins of England is published annually and focuses solely on British coins from Celtic age to this years pounds. Or Lyman Allen's Coins of the US Philippines.
ok i checked abebooks and they were only able to beat Amazon on 1 book (once shipping was factored in). Overstock.com wasnt able to beat Amazon on any of the books. Most of the time, where they show their price is lower then Amazons, its not the correct price, and Amazon's correct price is lower then what overstock had as their price. I think what i might do, is get the following books: Standard Guide to small Size US paper money @ Amazon $16.49 Standard Catalog of World coins 2001 to date @ Amazon $19.80 Standard Catalog of World coins 1901-2000 @ Amazon $34.65 the total is $70.94 since Amazon has free shipping on orders over $25. I only have about $70 to spend right now, so i figure getting these books will be a good start to my world coin refference library Ardatirion, those books are excellent refferences, but i dont think i will be getting anywhere near quite 'that' specific on any one country any time soon. As time goes on, and i find myslef owning so many world coins that i need a better guide, i will look into the guides you mentioned. Thanks for pointing them out I knew that Numismaster had pics and info on alot of items, and i do have an account there, but just find that using books help me find wjhat i need a lot quicker, and i dont always have access to my pc when i need to refference something. I will keep that site in mind if i need to look into a world coins before i can complete my world coins library! i dont think i will buy the books just yet, i might wait another week or so to look around for better pricing and to make sure the money isnt needed elsewhere! Thansk for all who replied!!!
For recent edition world coin catalogs, I have seen some coin dealer's prices to be the cheapest. Try some of these book prices on Bob Reis's web-site. Regards, Ballabh Garg
No they don't, with one exception. The 5th edition of the SCWC of World Gold Coins goes back to 1501. But that's it for Krause. However, Gold Coins of the World 7th edition, by Friedberg goes back to ancients. For silver or copper coins older than 1601 you have to get specialized books.
