Who or where is "Bob Reis"? Amazon.co.uk (where I buy most of my English books) doesn't apparently stock Jorgensen's "Old Coins of China". This does indeed seem like an inexhaustible field for collection.
Bob's website is www.anythinganywhere.com and is worth a visit. Or you find my book on amazon.com (but not .co.uk - it is made in the States) I have never even seen a copy of the Jorgsen book, and it is probably well out of date.
Jorgensen is 6 reduced typewriter quality, undated, pages with 20 pen and ink plates stapled in blue card covers and worth $3. I recommend it for those who intend to spend $3-$13 for coins. One step up is Cresswell, Chinese Cash, 1979 published by Spink and Durst so you can find them on either side of the Atlantic. It is sold used for $13-$50 but is not worth the higher number. I recommend it for those with a total collection value of $13 to $50. For those planning to spend over $50 on coins (total collection, not one coin), buy Hartill. Whatever book you select and whatever web sites you visit, be aware that not all publications use the current standard transliterations for Chinese. After a short while you will come to realize that what Jorgensen calls Wu Chu is what Hartill calls Wu Zhu and your ability to read Chinese in English transliteration will include both old fashioned and new style renderings. The trouble comes when a new and unwarned collector is confused by a seller using one system and his book using another. You have been warned so there is no problem. Right?
