Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;dougsmit, post: 1375399, member: 19463&quot;]A real question is what you want out of a book.&nbsp; I prefer books that are not catalogs of what exists but discussions of factors that apply to the study of coins that help you understand some of the why and how as well as the what and when.&nbsp; It seems like a while since we have had much in this genre.&nbsp; Some I have had for years are getting expensive on the used market (especially if you deal with the big online sellers that think anything out of print is printed on gold).&nbsp; Here are a few examples:</p><p><br /></p><p>Breglia, Laura, <b>Roman Imperial Coins Their Art and Technique, </b>really is a catalog with very few types shown.&nbsp; Coins get a two page spread rather like the Harlan Berk 100 Greatest book.&nbsp; One page is a huge blow up of one side of the coin while the other has a life size photo of both sides and text explaining why you should care about that coin (most of which you will never own).&nbsp; It was $20 new, I paid $8.50 used and found it just now for $14 which I consider just about fair.&nbsp; Of the three books listed here, buy this one last.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Sutherland, CHV,&nbsp; <b>Roman coins (The World of numismatics) </b>is a nice fat book with better photos than Breglia but many show only one side of the coin and some are color.&nbsp; It was 8.25 pounds in 1974.&nbsp; I paid $70 as a rare book but now there is one for $15 on Amazon with others spiraling up to a new one for $358.44.&nbsp; Both of those prices are ridiculous.&nbsp; The text rambles on like something I would like to write for my website.&nbsp; Where a coin applies to the text, there is a number in the margins that leads you to the photo.&nbsp; I would not pay $70 again but I was young and foolish.&nbsp; Someone reading this needs the $15 one.&nbsp; There are Greek and Byzantine volumes in the series.&nbsp; While researching this note, I ordered a Greek one.&nbsp; There are more.&nbsp;&nbsp; I hope I enjoy reading about coins I&#039;ll never own.&nbsp; Of the three books here, this is the middle priced and would be the one I value second.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Jones, John Melville, <b>A Dictionary of Ancient Roman Coins, </b>is exactly that.&nbsp; Terms you should know are arranged in alphabetical order with definitions ranging from a few words to articles more than a page long.&nbsp; If you absorb all the knowledge in this book, your head is likely to burst.&nbsp; There is a Greek co-volume sold separately which is even more head bursting.&nbsp; I don&#039;t know what I paid when I bought it new but there are several available for $50 or so.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Note that none of these books are catalogs with ID numbers that will help you move coins on eBay.&nbsp; If, however, you read them, we will have a lot more to talk about on this venue.&nbsp;&nbsp; Many collectors don&#039;t want to know about or understand their coins.&nbsp; If your main interest is making labels for your coins, skip these.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in