5 Must Have Coin Books

Hmm...Let me think.
1. The RedBook- Even if it isn't exactly up to date on prices, there's still a wealth of info inside.
2. Photograde by James Ruddy- One of the best grading books out there
3. Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial coins- It costs a lot and is massive, but it is one of the best general reference books ever.

Those three books are some big "must haves" for all areas of U.S. coin collecting (IMHO). Next, I'm just going to list some books that I find handy, but are more speciatly oriented.
4. Early Half Dollar Varieties by Al C Overton 3rd edition- the bible for early half dollar collectors
5. History of the U.S. Mint by D. Lange- A very nice and thorough book that is also easy to read.
6. America's Silver Coinage 1794-1891- This is a more obscure book published by the ANS ( American Numismatic Society). For $15, it's an excellent value.
7. The Expert's Guide to Collecting and Investing in Rare Coins by QDB- It's a nice read, and has some very nice information inside. The best part is that you can get a copy free with your 2008 RedBook
8. Depending on your collecting interests, the new Whitman series on various type coins written by QDB is excellent. Off the top of my head, there are books about Liberty and Shield nickels, Morgan dollars, Buffalo nickels, Washington quarters, Type Coins, Gold Coins, and Mint/Proof Sets.

And since you mentioned foreign coins, I agree that Krause is best.

What coins do you like to collect? This will determine some of the must-haves in your collection.

Old auction catalogs offer a wealth of information, as do the Heritage/eBay auction archives.

Ok I only own two book right now but there are a few other I want so here whould be mine 5 most have

1. The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States coins - by R.S.Yeoman
2. Making the Grade - by Coin World
here are the others I would like to own and think everyone should.
3. Standard Catalogue of World Coins: 20th Century 1901-2006 - by Krause Publications
4. The Pocket Guide to: Australian Coins and Banknotes 14th Edition - by Greg McDonald
5.Whitman Guidebook of U.S. Type Coins/Bowers or any of the Whitman special series books depending on what US coins you collect.
so here is the list of the 5 book I think I should have in my coin library.

For me its
1. Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial coins
2. Coin Crafters standard catalog of British coins 1066 to date
3. The Red Book
4. K Flynns guide to 2 Cents
5. Standard Catalogue of World Coins: 20th Century 1901-2006 - by Krause Publications
6. Standard Catalogue of World Coins: 19th Century 1801-1900 - by Krause Publications
7. Photograde

quote:

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Originally posted by graceoutcast

I didn't even know there was a Modern Issues 2001-2008 out yet. I was wondering when they were going to start a new series. I have the 1901-2006 version right now.

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I have just ordered the 2008 Catalogue from Amazon.com for $19.80 - can't wait until it gets here!

http://www.amazon.com/2008-Standard...72627&sr=1-1

American Numismatics Before The Civil War 1760-1860--Q. David Bowers

The History of United States coinage as Illustrated by the Garrett Collection--Q. David Bowers

The Numismatic Companion Books also by Q. David Bowers. There's seven or eight of them with reprints mostly from Bowers' former Rare Coin Review.

Photograde by James Ruddy. The 1970 edition IMO is the best.

Grading Coins: A collection of Readings--Richard Bagg and James J. Jelinski. This a compilation of articles from the NUMISMATIST, Numismatic Scrapbook and Whitman Numismatic Journal.

I'm pretty sure most of these are out of print except the the latest edition of Photograde which I don't think ever did go out of print. But you can probably find them used, especially at ABEs. I found Photograde 1970 there and Grading Coins: A collection of Readings.

I know all too well what a pain it can be to track down used books. But If coin collecting really was easy everyone would be an instant success. And Almost Happy.

Hi, I really like my Red Book, which Susan gave me.

Also my Grandpa has the Australian McDonald's book, and he lets me look at the coins in it once in a while. Bye.

"The Half Cent Die State Book 1793 - 1857" by Ron Manley;
"The Cent Book 1816 - 1839" by John Wright;
"The Die Varieties of United States Large Cents 1840 - 1857" by Bob Grellman;
"Early Half Dollar Die Varieties 1794 - 1836" (Third Ed.) by Al Overton;
"Coins of England & The United Kingdom" (40th Ed.) by Spink.

Those are my 5 top books, but I have many others.