1928 Numismatic Guide

If you don't consider the PM value, they were correct about 1904 double eagles and Columbian half dollars. Dime a dozen now as they were then.

That is very interesting and to your original question, old publications are collectable. I found it amazing that that book cost Fifty cents. That's pretty expensive for that time (although it is just ahead of the depression).

Yes, fifty cents was a goodly sum in the roaring twenties. Yet, I suspect that this buyer's booklet would be a handy item for a store owner and/or anyone who took in change on a daily basis. It could easily pay for itself, considering the vast number of early American coins that were likely in circulation back then! A Boston coin dealer, named Von Bergen, issued similar coin buying guides in the 1880's; these, labeled "Rare Coins" on the hard covers. Then too, there followed decades of buyer's guides, issued by the famous Max B. Mehl of Texas. IMHO, these are quite interesting to read and ponder, and they are generally under-valued in today's market.

Interesting, Condor! I've owned a few of Bergen's books, but none have indicated the name of another dealer, therein. I've long wondered if Mehl might have "copied" Bergen's idea.

That is the type of stuff I love to collect. Unfortuately such old books, pamphlets, magazines, etc. have a really low value. I suspect that is due to the small amount of people that collect such things. For example I collect all the Red Books and many of the Blue Books by Whitman Publishing. I have all the hard covered Red Books from 1 to present. Just for the fun of it at a coin show recently I asked several dealers if they would be interested in buying the entire collection. All said no. One said maybe if all in new condition and for about $1/each. I told them all were put on a shelf and never opened. Still, no offers.
A book like the one shown here would be great for someone like me but it is odd that so few coin collectors go into old coin books of any kind.
I once found a catalog in my house from a store that just opened. It was about 30 years ago. The store is still there and I went and asked if anyone wanted that catalog. All I got was a WHY?

I don't see any mention of double eagles in his will not buy list. I do see "Dollars of 1904 except they be Proofs." Most St. Gaudens twenty dollar gold pieces in 1928 were spending money so why would he need to state he did not buy them since he only had to go to the bank to get them if he so desired.

Ed
ANA LM-3175

Nice book.

Very collectible.

and, Carl, nice to hear about your collection.

And, yes, most dealers are ignorant about The Guide Book values