Getting Started: Books Every Beginning Collector Should Read
Even the experts will tell you — introductory books on coins and collecting are your best numismatic investment.
A basic library of numismatic references is an outstanding resource for the begin collector. Books can teach you about the coins you are pursuing, steer you as you build your collection and introduce you to new collecting areas. here are some suggestions for your dwelling library. I think you ‘ ll find these books informative, helpful and fun .
A bang-up place to start is with a general overview of the hobby, such as Coin Collecting for Dummies by Ron Guth. It has an abundance of useful data to help you get the most out of coin collecting. There is a nice discussion of how to choose a collect area, along with detailed information and gather strategies for american coins. Guth explains the factors affecting a mint ‘s value, suggests sources for buying coins and helps you navigate the mint marketplace. other full, basic references are The Whitman Guide to Coin Collecting by Kenneth Bressett and The New York Times Guide to Coin Collecting by Ed Reiter .
To learn the value of the coins you have or want to acquire, you ‘ll need a price scout. The classical in this category is A Guide Book of United States Coins by R. S. Yeoman, edited by Kenneth Bressett. Known as the “ Red Book “ because of the semblance of its embrace, it is updated annually. It surveys american coins from colonial issues to country quarters and everything in between, presenting retail values for coins in up to seven grades. Enhanced with color photos and packed with interest historical information, the Red Book is one mention no collector should be without .
Coin World Guide to U. S. Coins, Prices & Value Trends by the editors of Coin World is another very good price guide, with retail values for coins in up to 15 grades and informative chapters on U. S. neologism history, the mint process and early topics. When perusing price guides, you ‘ ll see that a coin ‘s rate depends on its rate, or degree of preservation. Because grade is indeed important, official ANA Grading Standards for United States Coins, edited by Kenneth Bressett and Abe Kosoff, is identical useful for evaluating coins. The record offers a general introduction to rate, followed by photograph and descriptions of grades for each type of U.S. coin. The simple format helps you grade coins by comparing them to standard definitions.
References using the “ Q & A ” format are specially helpful when you are building your solicitation. Two are bang-up choices, focusing chiefly on american coinage : Coin Clinic : 1,001 frequently Asked Questions by Alan Herbert is organized by topic, while Coins : Questions and Answers by Clifford Mishler is organized by mint type. Both are enlightening, easy to read and ideal for browsing.
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Two, first-rate books explore money produced in an array of places and times. Eyewitness Guide : money by Joe Cribb is a ocular joy, with many attractive color photos and interest stories on every page. It traces the evolution of coins and newspaper money around the global, from ancient times to the give, and is a fantastic introduction to money in all its forms.
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Warman ‘s Coin & Currency by Allen Berman and Alex Malloy catalogs United States coins and paper money, canadian coins, ancient and medieval coins, and advanced coins and paper money from around the world. There are photographs of many items and values for one or two grades, with informative essays introducing each section. If you want to know what ‘s “ out there ” you ca n’t go ill-timed with the books by Cribb and Berman .
You ‘ll find these books a pleasure to read, and the information you glean will be an enormous aid as you assemble your collection. glad reading ! Mitch Sanders | Originally printed in The Numismatist
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