What are the best coin collecting books for people new to the hobby? I'm not exactly new, but starting into collecting again after a long hiatus. I've never really had a lot of guidance and just want make sure I'm doing things the right way. Also, I'm interested in gaining at least a basic coin grading ability and how to spot cleaned and counterfeit coins. I am interested only in US coins and I'm currently working to complete a Dansco US Type Set. Any guidance is greatly appreciated.
First book you should have is the 6th edition ANA Grading standards , for counterfiets , "Counterfeit Mis- Struck and Unofficial U.S. Coins by Dan Taxay , and a standard Catalog of United States Altered and Counterfeit Coins by V.Hancock and Larry Spanbauer . Of course there is nothing better than looking at as many real and fake coins as you can in hand . rzage
I forgot one must have book for the novice collector it's the " Coin Collectors Survival Manual , 6th edition by Ed Travers . Has a lot of great must know info for todays collector . rzage
The best and most useful books are not books but magazines The best and most useful books are not books but magazines. I often tell people who really want to learn subcribe to Coin World and Numismatic News for a year even before you buy a book because as each copy comes each and every week you not only learn about what coins are doing but which books really will help you. As you read each weeks copy after a month or so you will develope reference points for coins, medals, gold, and silver, books, guilds - in fact you will be miles ahead of folks who do not read these magazines - this is where the world of coins is going on!!! If forced to name books that is simple, Red book, A grading guild, Coin World U.S. coin Almanac and The Error Book Encylcopidia by Margolis.
Figure out what series of coins your the most interested in. Most times when I say that, I get a response like. I dont know.. Collecting should always start with Red book, and a grading guide. If after purchasing these books you still can not decide on a series. Perhaps try out a type set and see what coin/coins rattle your proverbial cage. Always buy the book before the coin. If you decide to collect a certain series, seek out some knowledge on that series. There are a ton of books in the numismatic arena. Treashunt has taken the time to compile a great list that is pretty comprensive on the different book in different series. It can be seen at http://coinzip.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=coinbook Hope this thread is useful and Good Luck in your coin collecting future..
I think the best first book to read is Photograde. But you have to actually read the book, not just look at the pictures. It provides a good base from which to tackle the other books.
Thank you, Jim! I don't care what everyone else says about you! You are still okay in my mind. and here is a better link: http://coinzip.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=generalbook&action=display&thread=4689 just give the picture a moment to load.
Coin magazines are usually the most up to date and sometimes have articles about a certain coin that may never reach a book. Also, once a book is printed, unless a newer edition comes out, it is rather limited to new information. Of course if you just go with only coin magazines, there too you would be rather limited to what they say. In other words you should try for a little of each. Then too is the availability. If you use the internet you could find almost any books or magazines. At coin shows or coin stores, usually a limited variety. Remember about anything through the mail. Pending on where you live, ordering anything that is visible in a mail box is like a flag saying rob this place. Most coin magazines are sent without a covering to hide the contents making it a visible statement as to your interests. Gun, coin, knife, etc magazines visible to the world is just not safe in many areas. And not all US postal people are the safest individuals either so when they see such information, it's anyone's guess who it is passed on to.
If you are planning on collecting United States coins then a copy of the Red Book is a must. Quite inexpensive too. Before you go out and buy the expensive reference books check your local library. Mine has almost every Krause book in print plus a lot more. Coins, paper money, everything. They also have a xerox machine, 10c a copy. They also have a 1972 copy of Gold Coins of the World. I love looking through it and checking the old prices. If only I knew then what I know now. And when the kids and wife start screaming at me the library is the one place to get some peace and quiet...
If you think about it a great way to acquire coin information is on web sites like this one. If you have a printer and know how to print out just answers or posts that are of interest to you, you could start your own book. For example if you start collecting those State Quarters. Then search this forum with that tab at the top for Search and type in Quarters, State Quarters, etc. Print out the ones you like and start a book on those Quarters. Another example of this is the lack of info on Mercury Dimes. Naturally there is a bit here and there if you have numerous books. Using coin forums, I've collected a real lot of info on that coin since it is one of my favorites and started my own book. I print out what I need or want, place in a 3 ringed binder in the order I want and now have a book like I want in the order I want with info I want. Might take a while but you could make a library of what you want and only on what you want.
