Well, I gotta tell ya... When I came on this site, one of the first ideas I bought into was "Buy the book before you buy the coin." So I bought some books on coins in general (how to grade, detect counterfeits and cleaning, etc.) Then I started to get more specialized in my collecting. Started getting into old copper. So I bought Sheldon and Breen books, then bought some coins. So far, so good. Well, some of those old coppers are really spendy, and I have all the easy ones I want. So I've been bidding around but haven't won in a while. :headbang: So then I start shopping around in other series, but realize I don't know jack squat about capped bust stuff (h10c ... 50c) . So off I go shopping for books in those areas. High prices in one area of specialty make me interested in other areas. Gotta learn up ! Can't win the bid in one area ? Win a book in another !
Good for you! You're doing the exactly right thing. Buying those books will save you many times the price you spend on them in not overpaying for counterfeits, doctored coins, etc. I wish everyone would do this. It would eliminate the vast majority of scam artists if collectors would educate themselves BEFORE plopping down big money for coins.
some of us are not fortunate enough to buy books. i have been looking for this one book for more than a year and now i cant even find coins that i want to bid on its a good thing i am retired
thnk you. I am looking for PRIDMORE. F. The Coins of the British Commonwealth of Nations, to the end of the reign of George Vi 1952. Part 4 India. Volume 2: Uniform Coinage, East India Company 1835-58, Imperial Period 1858-1947. London, 1980. x, 245 pages, illustrations throughout
Buying a book helps with any feelings of frustration, which helps prevent "auction fever". OK, so I can't afford that XF45 1794 1c . Yet. At least I can learn about other areas. Turns out there are some high grade bust h10c and 10c that aren't too spendy ! Large cents in that date / grade range (1820s/30s, AU-MS) are really competitive right now.
I am also forever expanding my numismatic library. Why, because I want to know more, oh and I love reading.
I too collect the books as much as I do the coins. Unfortunatelly, a lot of the time the coins are easier to locate and for a much cheaper price than the books written about them. I've been looking for two years for an Overton book on CBH's, only to find I could buy three coins or more for every book I find. I should be investing in paper!! Guy~
Hi everybody, since the topic of books came up again, this is a good time. I'm looking for books that concentrate on washington quarters, indian and lincoln cents, buffalo nickels, mercury dimes and wl halves. Any good suggestions out there? Mike
Good idea. I've been meaning to get some books on coins but some of them are kinda pricey. The next time I pass by the used bookstore I'm going to check what they have. Is there any books I should be looking out for?
Any recommendations on the Drapped Half Cent? Other than that I'd like to specialize in BCH, Bust Quarter, and Barber Q.
Pricey? Nah, the cost of the book will more than pay you back with the savings from making the wrong purchase. For Half cents: Encyclopedia of US Half Cents, by Walter Breen Half Cent die States, by Ron Manley America's Half Cents, the 'Littler Sisters' by Cohen And others. But, to my knowledge, no books specifically on the Draped Bust section. CBH: Early Half Dollar Die Varieties: Parsley (4th Ed.) The Ultimate Guide to Attributing Bust Half Dollars: Peterson Bust Half Fever, Sounders Barber Quarters: Lawrence: Barber quarters, out of print, but available The Authoritative Reference on Barber Quarters -- Flynn [Not really authoritative, but better than anything out there.] Bust quarter: Early US Quarters: Tompkins Early Quarter Dollars: Browning. Also, PM sent
