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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,841 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7629 Posts |
I have been contemplating for quite some time now the contents of my next book on the Lincoln Cent series. One area where I believe a lot of authors lose touch with prospective readers/owners of their book is exactly what the reader would want to see in their book. In an effort to stay in touch with my readers, I come here asking for assistance in what YOU would see in "the perfect" book on Lincoln cents. So, here's the question: In a bookshelf size (8x10) book containing approximately 400 pages (somewhat limited), what would YOU think to be a very important topic to include that you either have never seen in a comparable book, or something that you have seen but was either not handled properly or not correctly represented? In other words, what about the Lincoln Cent have you NOT seen that you would like to see? Please be complete in your suggestions, and please be realistic - marker photos of every die variety known would not be possible, while a pricing guide for most major varieties would be possible. Take into account the realistic possibility of finding the information you seek - mintage figures were never given for small/large date coins, so they are impossible to print...just as an example. Thank you in advance for your help/participation in this planning phase. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2757 Posts |
I suggest taking a look at the Lincoln Cent posts in this error section of the forum. You'll quickly see (as you probably know!) that most every newbie thinks Machine Doubling is definitely a double die. That misaligned dies (common in the 70's) are off center cents. That a coin that had a chemical spilled on it (and is discolored) had no copper on the planchet. Also lots of questions on laminations & die clashes. I would guess these account for upwards of 85% of newbie posts so I'd go through these and other erros like MAD, off centers, laminations, die clashes, Cuds, die breaks just to name a few. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1915 Posts |
I think I would like to read about current market trends. What I mean by this is highlighting the varieties that have moved either up or down the most in the recent market. An example would be WAMs and CAMs. Maybe include some sleepers using your expertise. Maybe show how much has changed in the Lincoln landscape from the time you started all of this until now.
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Valued Member
United States
476 Posts |
When I started looking at lincoln cents I wanted to find a comprehensive checklist of the known varieties RPM's, DDO's, DDR's, etc. by date, perhaps color coded to indicate major, medium, and minor varieties. Or perhaps a couple of checklists depending on the comprehensiveness of the listing wanted. I found someone's spreadsheet online that seemed to do a pretty good job, but it would have been nice to find it in a reasonably compressed "checklist" format. |
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Valued Member
United States
460 Posts |
I would love to see a page on each year. Each year could have the following... Typical info - mintage, price chart, etc Varieties - no need to go into detail but more of what to look for (many RPMs, WAM, CAM, Lg/SM dates etc) Pics of major varieties You could get 1 year per page and still have room for many other things Also a section with interesting varieties like my favorite...the 1958D-1MM-021 - D/D/D/D/D |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3640 Posts |
An idea like dumps would be a great format. Start with a complete accurate history of the Lincoln Cent then do ea. year with pertinent facts/aspects as suggested. Referencing your own past works along with others would be a plus also. A few links too. A few chapters on variety id'ing, coins to look for, mintmark and the whole coining process. Appendix the diff. categories. It would be easy to surf through the pages etc. |
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Valued Member
United States
188 Posts |
I think a chapter of the book that goes deep into the process of minting the coins, how errors, RPM's, DD etc occur. I've seen this info before but to put it in one place and break it down barney style would be a gift to all new collectors. You may have already done that though.
On a side note, something I would like to see is a Dansco albumn with the Top 100 lincoln varieties. If I had time I would probably pursue it but its out of my realm. I think someone with your name recognition could make it happen and probably make some bucks on it. Just like the 7070 it would blow up an entire area of collecting so people could fill their folders.
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Valued Member
United States
420 Posts |
for me.... do you want to know from simply a collector's point of view, or from a collector who's been in the printing business for over 20 years? as a collector, I want every little bit of information my greedy mind can possibly soak upfrom a printers point of view- will the book be printed on uncoated , matte, or gloss stock?will it be 4/C or B&W ?what weight paper will be used?at 400 pages, I'm almost sure it wouldn't be a saddle stitched book, it would have to be spiral bound , perfect-bound or hard bound?will it be used as a reference book, or a coffee table book?limited edition?edited yearly?total first edition production run?do you color check the book at time of printing?the sad part.. after umpteen hours at work this week, it's what I think about- if you would like to talk to me more about anything, please PM me, I know I'm boring everyone else  |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
7629 Posts |
GREAT responses, and I definitely appreciate them all! I'm still open to more, though.
Some of what has been suggested to this point was already going to be a part of the plans for the book, but some of it is new to me and I will put it all through great consideration before continuing. I like all the suggestions, but naturally I will have to pick and choose to hold down the cost of the book.
Thank you!!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
62064 Posts |
How different errors created the coins we see today as collectables and what is not collectable/common.
Die changes and the years affected by obverses and reverses.
Why Trails and Wavysteps are not varieties. Why extra column cent are varieties.
Die states and how/what affects die wear/hub wear/hub warping and how they affect the dies created by them.
The plating plagues and why my coin looks the way it does.
Markers: What purpose do they serve? How common are they on coins from different dies.
Photography skills and how to get the best images for less.
Photoshop and how it is used for the images created for display.
Lighting, what works best?
Organizing and cataloging your collection.
What to look for when searching for varieties.
What to keep and what to toss back?
(Sounds like I should be writing a book?)
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Valued Member
United States
151 Posts |
Try to make the history section as detailed and interesting as you can. It's a big plus for me when a "coin book" reads like a "normal book." If somebody with little or no interest in coins could pick it up and read and enjoy that section, you'll have something good.
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Valued Member
United States
182 Posts |
There are highly informative sources already out there, and they are chocker block filled with information. What if you took one or two of the very best, like the DVN Guide to Lincolns and CherryPickers, and then SUPPLEMENTED data in those with data you have access to on Coppercoins like EDS, MDS, LDS and such, and then ADDED DATA on Lincolns that those sources did not cover. You would not be competing so much, but being cooperative and filling the small holes with a flourish of your own informative guide data. Then, the next time the other sources are published they could also supplement what you didn't, and you all could discuss it ahead of time what you were intending on researching. In this manner, there would then be a SUPREME CHERRYPICKER'S GUIDE to Lincolns, in joint volumes.
Coop had a serious comment on Doubling info and others, some of Coop's ideas are also ripe for covering nowadays as well. Using his ideas is a sure recipe for a bestseller. By working cooperatively, you and perhaps one or two other sources could then lay claim to one of the SERIES of most valuable hobby compendiums, and the best part is that all from each of you would be needed for a set. You all get the accolades and the revenue stream as well.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,841 |
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Posted 08/11/2010 2:36 pm
