1. R.A.G. Carson, Coins of the World, 1962. Beautifully bound book that still can be found on different websites. Almost 700 pages, gives precise history and coin information. 2. James Mackay, 2500 Coins of the World. 2008. 2500 coins--nice photos--from 180 countries! 3. Elvira Clain-Stefanelli, Select Numismatic Bibliography 1965, 400 pages or the full 1800 or so pages 1980s edition. Dr. Clain-Stefanelli is one not the greatest woman numismatists! Let's also recommend a membership in the American Numismatic Society. Many other great books...please add 3 more or more than 3!
I use the Carson and the Krause almost weekly, as I get many of my coins through friends who travel. The charts and tables for converting Islamic dates and Oriental symbols are understandable and logical to use. Would not have a collection without them, just a pile of metal
For those of us that specialize in pre-Euro Italian coins I recommend the "Gigante Monete Italiane Dal '700 All ' Euro" by Fabio Gigante. It's annual and I think it's the best for Italian coins. It's written in Italian with lots of photos and covers most Italian coins from the 1700's to the Euro. I just wish Fabio Gigante would publish a catalog for pre-1700's Italian States coins.
