| Author |
 Replies: 10 / Views: 1,640 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1302 Posts |
Just wanted to take a moment to make a quick post recommending the 1981 hardback volume by Swiateck and Breen, The Encyclopedia of US Silver & Gold Commemorative Coins. I have a half dozen books on the subject, and I was unprepared for just how much better this book would be than what's out there. It puts everything I've ever read on the subject to shame- and I know a few of you guys would really enjoy it. Pick a copy up as soon as you see one on ebay. Charles |
|
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2936 Posts |
I have the book also and it is a wonderful reference and look into the often unscrupulous coining of our Early Commemoratives.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
Thanks for letting us know. Amazon is sometimes good for picking up books at a discount. |
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
I just bought one on Amazon for $13.99 and that included shipping. The book is like new too! I'm surprised no one has written a review on Amazon for it, yet. I should get it in about 2 weeks. |
|
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
 United States
12255 Posts |
The Swiatek/Breen volume is definitely a book worthy of being in the library of every US commemorative collector -- while always informative, their commentary and writing style can often bring a smile or chuckle. My "if I could only keep one commemorative book" winner, however, would be Q. David Bowers' Commemorative Coins of the US: A Complete Encyclopedia. As much as I like the Swiatek/Breen, especially for its presentation of related ephemera, I find myself reaching for the Bowers' book first when I need to quickly look something up about a particular issue. Of course, both are on my shelf, so choosing isn't really an issue!  Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
1302 Posts |
commems- I have both too, the Q. David Bowers to get is the old one, btw, not the one Whitman is putting out now- which is a truncated version.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
Edited by wquinn
05/18/2012 1:04 pm
|
|
CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives
United States
12255 Posts |
@wquinn: The Amazon book you referenced is the recently published " Red Book" on commemoratives by Bowers. While a good volume in its own right, it does not go into the same depth on the individual coins as the Bowers' Complete Encyclopedia. The Encyclopedia was published in 1991 and is out of print. It is typically available online via used book sites, however. Hope you enjoy it if you decide to purchase a copy! Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
You mentioned that you have both, but you also mention a third book, so I'm confused on the other two.
And I did buy the Swiateck and Breen book. It was published in 1981.
You said you grab your Bowers book first, so I wondering if the link I shown above, is that book?
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1302 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
Thanks for the links. The Bowers book sure isn't cheap, for being so old.
I'm going to get a Taxay book. With shipping it was $9.83, so not a bad price. Thanks again.
|
| |
Replies: 10 / Views: 1,640 |
|
Posted 05/17/2012 2:51 pm
