whats the latest numismatic book you have read?

the last book i finished was david bowers' coins and collectors. it's an older book but an excellent read. currently about halfway or so through the expert's guide to collecting and investing in rare coins..once again, a david bowers book. my latest purchase, but not read, is john highfill's comprehensive U'S. silver dollar encyclopedia. what a great reference work. what has everyone else read or acquired recently?

 

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Don't read coin books. I've got Red Book from the 8th edition to present amd the hard covered ones have never been opened. I use a ringed version for reference only then throw it out.
I've pruchased both editions of coppercoins books on Looking Through Lincoln Cents but only glanced at what is inside. Other than that, I use my moneyto buy coins, not books.

 

I did (recent-last evening) some research using Don Parsley's United States Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794-1836. As a matter of fact hardly a day goes by in which I haven't delved into it's pages.

Ben

 

I just finished reading.... Confessions of a Numismatic Fanatic: How to get the most out of coin collecting by Frank S. Robinson. (1992)
Basicly a book about Mr. Robinson's experiences with this hobby. He offers his insights, anecdotes, tips and tibits of information. Discusses US and Foreign coin collecting. It is not overly technical which makes it a good read.

 

I received Rick Tomaska's guide for Franklin Half Dollars for Christmas and have read most of it as I work on completing a collection of Franklins (a __long__ way from completion).

 

The Strange Career of Dr. Wilkins by Bowers.

Speedy

 

The Expert's Guide to Collecting and Investing in Rare Coins, Q. David Bowers, 2005

 

Ben:
Were you at my house last night?
We were reading the same book.
:thumb:
Also, reviewing the latest reincarnation of the 1947 Guide Book.

 

Chuckle, did you have a mild headache this early AM? I had a couple of whisky sours last evening with the wife and company. The hard stuff tastes great smoothly going down, but the headache which always follows is the payback I always get, Ugggghhh...

Take Care
Ben

 

P.S. Nothing back from Mr. Parsley yet...

B

 

I've read and am re-reading a few...

Red Book Series: Coin Collecting , A Beginner's Guide to the World of Coins (a Whitman Guide Book)

The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for US Coins (another Whitman Book)

The "Famous" Red Book, I always have the spiral bound version open somewhere on my desk...

Photograde, Official Photographic Grading Guide for US Coins (another Whitman Book)

Red Book Series: Red Book or Modern US Proof Sets (another Whitman Book)

Red Book Series: 2nd Edition of Morgan Silver Dollars (another Whitman Book)

I'm always re-reading one of these as each time I learn something new or something I forgot...

 

"The official RED BOOK, A Guide Book of Flying Eagle and Indian Cents" by Rick Snow. Very interesting. I enjoyed it!

 

I stopped reading coin books because they are incredibly repetitive and sometimes not particularly useful to the average collector. Most of them probably should be pamphlets and not entire books, but I guess the publishers require a certain length even if most of it is just filler.

That said, I think Photograde is very good and it's probably worth keeping a price guide around. Everybody buys the Redbook but I like the North American Coins & Prices guide better because it also includes Mexican and Canadian coins and covers more grades. I also really like the Standard Catalog of Hard Times Tokens by Rulau for the historical information as much as the token information, but if you don't collect tokens there isn't much reason to buy it. The Civil War Token Collectors Guide by Kanzinger is also an excellent read because there is a lot of information on getting started in collecing tokens, what to look for, and some very unique views on the forces that impact pricing that I haven't read anyplace else. The downside is that there are very few photos in the book and if you don't collect tokens there isn't much reason to get it.

Try the library. At least that way you are only losing time, but not losing money.

 

Just purchased and read Ken Potters Strike it Rich with pocket change, purchased two copies and he autographed em for me. Lots of stuff out there that can be found. Interesting stuff.

 

I am in the process of selectively reading the PCGS "Official Guide to Coin Grading and Counterfeit Detection." There is some very useful information in there... I really found the parts on toning and artificial toning enlightening.

- Jake

 

Ben:
I can't wait for you to hear, I have an 1830, with the 5-s3 obverse (O-110) but I believe that it is a different reverse.
:thumb:

 

can't imagine not having a library. absolutely love to read plus there is so much to be learned from the great numismatic minds. i wouldn't enjoy collecting half so much without the reference materials. at one time in the early and mid 80's i had accumulated much literature and catalogs. they are great sources of info. used to love the bowers and ruddy and bowers and merena catalogs. especially great were auction catalogs like the garrett collection. we didn't have the internet back then and those catalogs were something to really look forward to and enjoy.

 

Have you checked this forum out? You should post the info here, it specializes in Bust Coinage. http://half-dimes.com/forums/index.php

Ben

 

Coin collectors survival guide, the thought of buying a "doctored" coin is crazy!

 

I'm reading The Expert's Guide to Collecting and Investing in Rare Coins by Bowers. I'm really enjoying it and finding it highly worthwhile. It seems to be little more in depth than some of the beginner's books out there. Of course, it may take me the next 10 years to finish it as it's a big book with little type, but we'll see. I also have a copy of Walter Breen's Major Varieties of U.S. Gold Dollars on the way that I'll be reading soon.