I've decided that I would like to specialize in the numismatic field for the follow coin series. Buffalo nickels 2.5,5,10 indian head gold indian head cents What books should I get so that I could become an expert in this area of coinage?
Last I heard Ken Potter was selling Lonesome John's gold counterfeit book. Scott's or Amazon should have Bowers books on IHC and Buff nickels. Books won't make you an expert. You have to get your hands dirty for that.
Whitman Press has a good series of books that cover most of the type coins. I have the Peace Dollar book and it was a pretty good starting point. It looks like they have books for the IHCs and the Buffalo nickels. The type coin book has some info on the gold. Not sure where to turn after these (not my series of coins....) beyond these, but the books were a good starting point for me.
Good place to learn what books are crucial to a series is by checking major dealer rederences and bibliographies.
hmm... I think I will probably go with Indian Head Cents first. I like the series and it is more popular than the buffalo nickel I think. So who is Rick snow and what is with these bibliographies and all that?
Rick Snow is probably the most respected dealer when it comes to Indian Head and FE cents. A bibliography is a listing of important references people use on a subject. So, if its a well respected dealer, and they list a certain book on IHC in their bibliography, then most likely that book is important. I would highly suggest a book by Rick Snow for IHCs. He is a nice man and very knowledgable. As to IHC being more popular than buffs, I simply do not know. Both are very popular. A good book will help you get up to speed, but only that....help. I bet you Charmy knows hundreds of facts that is not in any book, that is why she is a good dealer.
Medoraman: "...I bet you Charmy knows hundreds of facts that is not in any book, that is why she is a good dealer..." And if noticed Josh, Charmy always manages to find the coolest stuff when she's buying at shows. What book do learn that from? Books are great but you still have muck in and do it to really learn.