How much have you spent on your numismatic library?

Hard to determine for me too. In terms of catalogs, maybe €50 per year. Then there are books that deal with various aspects of coins from various points of view ... somewhere in the three digit area. But there are also quite a few books, e.g. about money and "trade" in concentration camps, that I do not really consider to be part of a numismatic library.

Christian

 

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Many coin collectors, myself included, would agree with that. Then again there may be people whose hobby it is to collect coins with certain themes. Elephants, violins, birth years, you name it. These collectors would probably not (want to) be called numismatists but if you collect that way, you do not really need literature beyond what can be had for free online ...

Christian

 

That is true. Even for me there are certain area's where I will not purchase books, just for the fact they do not interest me. Granted I might buy a Morgan or two, but I don't need a book on them. I always search the LCS when I visit to see if they have anything new for me. I am in the 500 to 1000 range - no real record. This does not include red-books which I buy every few years.

 

I actually do collect that way. As you know, I have a thematic collection of over 300 coins with horses. There is more to thematic collecting for some of us than looking for an animal or an object on a coin and acquiring it. I still want to know the history behind the coin, how it was minted, what technology created the edge lettering, etc. All of the information about more advanced (actual numismatic) topics are found in books with rigorous research. Yes, you can get these from a library or your library may be able to borrow them for you from a larger library -- but you will not find all of that information on the internet for free.

I guess it all comes down to semantics. I consider a numismatist to be someone who actually cares more about the coins than accumulating them. My definition of a numismatist is more rigorous than someone with a passing interest in coins because they can flip them or deal them. If I ask someone to describe to me the methods of hammered coinage, or "milled coinage" or modern minting practices -- if they are a numismatist -- then they should at least be able to muster an intelligible and informed response.

Accumulating coins requires little literature. Studying coins requires literature beyond freebie internet resources. Again, just my opinions...

 

Yeah, ok, I might be a poster child for this one. I have about 700 or so books on ancient and world coins, maybe 50 on US coins, and a few hundred good history books. The coin books probably average $80-100, so you can do the math. I just bought 4 in the last week or two, (gotta keep up!). Actually, just last weekend I went to Iowa to have my Dad help me cut out new bookshelves, so hopefully I will get my new den put together and books unpacked next month.

 

Id say I have at least $1000 in mine now and it grows as I find a book I think I need or if it sounds like an interesting and informative read.

Ive been meaning to check out that From Mine to Mint book

 

less than $50...

 

A set of Red Books!

My kinda guy!

 

I would estimate around $1200-$1500.

 

Hardbacks, softbacks, DVDs, periodicals, software. Over $1000

 

agreed!

always looking

 

That vseems about decent I paid about 300/ Fo all my books and not to include coin world sub scripts and personal archive cutouts

 

Since the advent of eBook been spending way way less I mean don't get me wrong printed book rule the day but ebooks way less space and cheaper

 

True, but most good books from the 70's-2000's were never put out in ebook form, but are the cornerstone of your knowledge. Maybe in 30 years the number of ebook volumes will be enough to go on, but until the major references are LEGALLY available as ebooks I will keep my dusty old books. Plus, I find the plate reproductions to be pretty bad many times.

 

Most books are digitized anyways

 

Where do you get that fact? Of my 750 books on coins, maybe 40 are legally available digitally, either by being out of copyright protection or modern titles released digitally. I wish to support numismatic authors, not steal from them, so I never download Juarez copies illegally scanned.

 

I haven't added it up either but like Doug and Matt I could easily believe I'm on the far side of $10,000. And there are still plenty of volumes I would like to acquire.