Thoughts on "The Coin Collector's Survival Manual..."

A YouTube channel on collectibles (not exclusively about coins) that I watch periodically emphatically recommends the Scott Travers book "The Coin Collector's Survival Manual," which appears to have a 7th edition dated 2015. From what I can tell, the book slants heavily towards making money from coins rather than studying, analyzing or collecting them. Some of its Amazon reviews also weren't very kind or called it "almost a great coin book." All of that said, the YouTube channel mentioned has recommended other good books, so I thought I would ask whether anyone here has read this book or knows more about it.

The cover of the 7th edition.

 

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well think many people think coins are easy money so the book is geared towards those people

 

Well it does State right on the cover
" how to make money on coins right now". It's been several years since I've read that book but I recall it did have some useful information.
I think any info you can acquire on not paying to much for coins is useful.

 

I must have missed the part of coin collecting where I was supposed to make money collecting coins.

 

I was given this book over 20 years ago when I first started into coins as a kid (I think I had the 4th edition?). At the time, the book was incredibly useful to me because I knew literally nothing about coins.

Before I met Scott Travers, I would have absolutely recommended the book.

After I met Scott, I realized he's a used car salesman, out to promote whatever he can and make as much money as he can.

Skip this book and buy something else that will actually teach you about coins. Maybe someone could recommend some books.

 

Certainly takes a developed eye to pick quality coins consistently.

 

I remember my teacher in high school gave me this book when I first started out. His father was a big coin collector and is now actually the president of my coin club.

To be honest I don't remember much other than the advice to avoid large coin firms (Mega retailers, phone call salesmen, etc). I'll skim it again in a little bit.

True, it's very hard to pick up numismatics AND start out as a coin seller. The best dealers I know started out as collectors/researchers/authors before going head-on with the dealing game.

 

I think it's worth reading. Has a good bit of info about some of the minefields in coin collecting, and being a smart buyer.

 

I don't need no manual for surviving coin collecting...........moderately good read, but I've already 'been there, done that'. In fact, this forum is the best survival guide, bar none.

 

I have the 5th edition of Coin Collectors Survival Manual. It's just like the 7th talks more about making money. One Minute Coin Expert is better.