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 Replies: 23 / Views: 2,486 |
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Valued Member
United States
101 Posts |
Its obvious that I am a noob. Just wondering if there is a generic book to learn about this hobby besides peoples feedback( which is much appreciated)? I am starting to get a liking for Morgans and Peace dollars. Any suggestions? All the best, ~James |
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Bedrock of the Community
Australia
21786 Posts |
If you are just starting out, get a used book that does not have current pricing in it. Dealers usually have second hand numismatic books. An older Red Book would be good. An older copy of Krause (the telephone book) is best for world coins. For current pricing, that is easily enough found on the Web. |
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Valued Member
United States
85 Posts |
I would recommend this one first: Warman's U.S. Coin Collecting http://www.amazon.com/Warmans-U-S-C...6755&sr=8-20Followed by: The Expert's Guide to Collecting & Investing in Rare Coins: Secrets Of Success http://www.amazon.com/Experts-Guide...66814&sr=1-1The first is a very high level overview of coin collecting with a focus on U.S Coins, the second is a much more thorough resource that even gives guidance on budgeting for your collection and gives you some idea's you can pursue in terms of collection possibilities (e.g type sets, mint mark, date) |
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Edited by John1
02/08/2011 07:14 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3234 Posts |
"Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan and Peace dollars"This is THE VAM book and a must have for anyone serious about collecting these series. I don't collect these coins but I still have the book and read through much of it. It's a very good read.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
For some suggestions just go to the Whitman Publishing web site. They produce a massive pile of books on coins of all sorts. Also, they make Albums, Folders, 2x2's and on and on and on with all sorts of STUFF. However, it is always better to check out places like Amazon of the Walmart Book web sites first since Whitman charges more for direct customers than organizations that buy bulk from them. For general information you can't beat the Red Book by Whitman Publishing. Again though I suggest you look for one that is about 2 to3 years old. Cheaper to buy and if you look at the prices, a 2 to 3 year old version would be more accurate. Check out used book stores and flea markets for coin books too. Usually a lot cheaper. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
It depends on what you are trying to learn. If you are hoping to be able to buy and sell or invest for a profit then the books mentioned by emh are possibly where you want to start. If you think you might be interested in all the die varieties then Prethen's suggestion is good but probably not easy reading. If you are just getting started you definitely want a copy of A Guidebook of United States coins by are S Yeoman. (The RedBook) And Whitman Publishing also have books called the RedBook of Morgan dollars and RedBook of Peace dolllars. I've seen the Peace dollar bookand it is good. The Morgan book is probably good as well. A good general book that covers all the dollar coins through the Ikes is The Comprehensive U. S. Silver Dollar Encyclopedia by John W Highfill. (It is basically a collection of articles by some of the top dollar specialsts and numismatic authors.) It gives good background histories, some grading tips, and some interesting stories behind some of them. Part of the book is personal ego stroking by the author (Which you can savely skip) but there is a lot of good general information in there. There are several available on abesbooks and Amazon in the $30 to $40 range. It is big, over 1200 pages and weighs around 7 pounds but I think it combined with the RedBook make a good start. |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
2448 Posts |
I like the Official Red Book, Third Edition: "The Guide Book of Morgan dollars" by Q. David Bowers. It's in paper back, inexpensive, and a good read. Even Larry Van Allen liked it. Well, according to the forward anyway.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
Quote:
Even Larry Van Allen liked it. Never heard of him, who is he? |
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Valued Member
United States
85 Posts |
"It depends on what you are trying to learn. If you are hoping to be able to buy and sell or invest for a profit then the books mentioned by emh are possibly where you want to start." I actually found these books to be quite informative not just for investment purposes. Despite the title, "The Experts Guide to investing and collecting..." covers a wide range, only a small portion of which was actually dealing with the investment aspects. Although collecting can be an investment, I'm not in it for that purpose and when I picked those books up I was looking for wide ranging info which I found in them. At this point I am narrowing my focus and buying the Red Book series and other books with more focus on a particular series of coin. |
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Valued Member
 United States
101 Posts |
Thank you all for the great replys. I am not looking to sell right now, but who knows what the future will bring. I like the fact of collecting assets and passing it along to generations to come. I am feeling the Red Book. I just want a common knowledge of what is in store for me in the coin hobby. All the best and thank you all. ~James |
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Valued Member
United States
186 Posts |
The Red Book is the "Bible" of coin collecting... I have been a dealer for more than 20 years, and we honestly use it almost everyday here in the shop. Welcome to the Hobby of Kings!! |
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Valued Member
United States
101 Posts |
Thank you for the warm welcome CEO. I think I will purchase it!
~James
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10284 Posts |
There sure is a book full of information on the left hand side of every page in here
See US Coins and the four click-able topics beneath it. Take a look at those.
US Coin Facts
US Coin History
US Commemorative History
US Coin Image Gallery
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Valued Member
United States
101 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2448 Posts |
That's Leroy's second cousin twice removed. OOOOPPPSSSS!  |
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Replies: 23 / Views: 2,486 |
Posted 02/08/2011 07:09 am
