Buying the book before the coin

The internet provides a lot of information. I have four books on Buffalo nickels but only one on Walkers. I also have about twenty additional books on coins and a lot of past Heritage catalogs. I should add that I like reading books but it is my sense that there are plenty of coin collectors that would rather just search rolls or surf the internet than read a book. And that's fine -- there's plenty to learn from either of those activities as well.
By the way, I really enjoy David Lange's books -- his book on Buffalos is great. I bought his book on Mercury dimes and his book on Lincolns. Even though I don't collect those series, I thought it would be interesting.

 

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Its kinda like riding a bike with out a helmet, feel fine til you crash

 

Do you belong to a coin club? I belong to the Red Rose Club in Lancaster, Pa. We have a huge library. I can borrow a book on almost any subject or series. Just the library is worth the membership fee.

 

I agree, it's a great resource.

Which book is the "gold" standard in coin grading? Could you point me to a good book on the subject on Google books?

PG

 

You can borrow the books for six weeks, and then you have the option to renew for another six weeks. Three months is a good amount of time to read a book, unless it's a big one.

 

My idea exactly. I used to purchase books on lots and lots of things. Being a chem teacher I acquired a massive library on that subject but have found over the last few years the internet is far more advanced than books written some years ago. And books on some subjects are actually funny sometimes as they become outdated. I now use the internet for info about 90% of the time for info on many subjects.
One of my objections to some of the books out there on coins is they appear to be written by someone that never collected a coin at all. Of course this is also true of some people that post info on the internet too.
I've been sort of making my own books on coins. When I find a specific article, post, etc here or anywhere, I print it out, put in a 3 ringed binder for future info on just that subject.
If for instance you like Mercury Dimes, you could build your own book on just that coin and have the exact info, in the order you prefer at your fingertips.

 

The lending library is about the only reason I consider being a member. I have a book on loan from them right now on the Tiffin tokens of Canada. And now that I've read it I'm wanting my own copy.

There are always photocopiers and/or scanners, borrow it, scan it and you've always got it even after you send the borrowed one back.