2 comments about The Official Red Book Collector's Inventory of U.s. Coins: of United States Coins (Official Red Books).

1. Problems with this inventory book are numerous.
   1. The book only lists dates up to the current date, no place for future years of coins. So you inventory your collection up to 2007 and next year... buy another book??
   2. The book seems to have forgotten about silver and golden eagles, well not too many of us are interested in that trash anyway.
   3. It would be nice if there were a few blank pages between each catagory for additional notes ie., error coins not listed etc.
   In my opinion one would be better off buying a three ring binder to inventory their collection.



2. As a novice collector, I found this product to be very useful. Previously, it was very frustrating for me to use a larger, spiral-bound notebook to keep track of coins I needed/already had, their conditions, where bought from, prices, etc. Also, my makeshift method of listing (simply writing down the series, year, mintmark, and condition of each coin in my collection) was not very helpful while shopping, because I had to scan through the whole list to see which coins I needed to acquire. This was just too cumbersome and ineffcient for going to coin shows and the like. This book is very compact and it already has information like mintages and mintmarks printed for most of the coin series published in Whitman's ubiquitous 'Redbook'. I suspect that some more advanced and/or technically-savvy collectors may find it too rudimentary, especially if they are proficient in using spreadsheets or commercial, coin inventory software. But for other collectors, partciularly those who like to use pencil and pad, this is a great tool. When I recently attended a coin show on the east coast, I was first introduced to this product by a dealer who used it to copiously make notes. So dealers, maybe you should check it out.

2 comments about NGC Grading Guide For Modern U.S. Coins: NGC Grading Guide For Modern U.S. Coins.

1. This book actually rates three stars because it is quite expensive for what you get, but it is still a really excellent resource for those who do one of three things: 1) collect Modern Commemoratives; 2) collect US Mint Bullion Coins; 3) collect Ultra Moderns (I say ultra moderns because until this book's new definition of moderns, traditional coin collectors deem all 20th century coins 'moderns'. This one begins the count from the year 1965; although interestingly it includes the Proofs, which for this particular time sequence is very important. This book is good in the sense that the Forward really makes one excited about collecting these ultras where it discusses the genre and explains that this is a legitimate area of collecting interest where one can build a substantial collection rapidly and for a relatively small cost. In this day and age of inflated coin prices for some of the rarer and more desirable coins amongst even the traditional moderns, there has to be a niche for new comers, kids, etc. and this niche is it. It is also good in the sense that it give census numbers of these coins as graded by NGC and explains how one should extrapolate certain of these numbers (for instance, that there is a great number of MS 68 Silver Eagles that go unslabbed because of the high minimum grade reqt. of submitters). The reviewer below protested that this count is too narrow, but the point is that this is a book as published by NGC and doesn't purport to have the entire census universe numbers contained in it. This is still nice because most coin collectors, such as myself, will subscribe to just one or two services and so will have access to those companies' census counts but not others. So, while I have PCGS' pop. reports and ltd. access to ICG's, this NGC count is a handy reference for me. I was especially pleased about two aspects of this book's layout. The biggest one was the 'Rarities and Notable Varieties' notes section in which the 'key' coins are highlighted. For instance, I collect Jeffersons but was not aware of the special, so-called 'specimen' coins minted in 1994 and 1997, both of which I will now look out for. The other nice thing is the 'NGC Quick Tip' which warns the reader of certain quirks that one should look out for, for instance scraping on the Eisenhower Dollar on Eagle Feathers and Obverse, just as a coincidence, I had set aside a large number of these recently wondering what was up with this. In future, I will focus in on those areas before making a purchase. Finally, this book is the only handy reference I know that devotes an entire section complete with pictures of all of the Modern Commemoratives to date. This latter sub-section of coins is one that may yet emerge as an important branch of American Numismatics. For those of you who wish to get a head start, this is a good resource to turn to for now. Oh, and finally, finally, for the very first time in a coin book an entire section is devoted to the Bullion coins that have been issued by the Mint and this area too is becoming ever more popular, and is one that I believe will get ever stronger in years to come (even stronger, in my opinion, than the Modern Commmemorative genre). Anyway, even though this book is spendy when new, I can recommend getting it, possibly discounted, if you have an interest in any of the areas above that I have mentioned.



2. The thing that troubles me most about this book is that it's description leads the prospective reader to believe that it is about grading coins. It is not. The book description implies that it provides a grade-dependent population census of modern coins. It does not (imho). The description implies that the book provides tendencies in the appearances of various coins. This it does do to a degree (These paragraphs in the book are the source of the two lonely stars characterizing my review) .
   There is but one page in this entire book on grading - even then just definitions. (I don't count the advertisements that tout the care with which the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) "objectively" grades and certifies coins (conveniently, NGC is one of the publishers of the book). There are neither examples nor guidelines to DIY grading of coins.
   Then there is the census. The population numbers provided in the book consist only of those coins certified by the NGC, and the NGC alone. The census does not include coins certified by other third party grading agencies such as PCGS, ICG or ANACS. Furthermore, the book also does not acknowledge that most purchases of modern commemorative coins, mint sets and proof sets do not get certified. So what, you say? The point, I believe, of providing a grade-dependent census is to establish the relative rarity of a given coin at a given grade. As rarity and grade together are the dominant determiners of value, an NGC-only census is of no value.
   The truly sad thing is that the topic of the bulk of material in the book would be warmly welcomed by the numismatic community - both beginners and advanced collectors -- if done well. This book deserves a second edition, maybe not the same authors or same publisher (no conflict of interest there!) to create a reference book on modern coins that actually has utility to coin collectors. The genius in marketing at NGC who thought it would be a good idea to push out a less than mediocre book allegedly on grading modern coins just leads me to recommend the VASTLY superior book on grading coins put out by PCGS - their biggest competitor! Doh!

2 comments about Presidential Dollar Commemorative Folder: Complete Philadelphia and Denver Mint Collection (Official Whitman Coin Folder) (Official Whitman Coin Folder).

1. All my coins are stored in Whitman Albums, Folders and Binders. This one is similar to the State Quarters Flip Album so works well :)



2. It is ridiculous. The size of the holes in this book is the same as those for quarters. So NONE of them fits.

1 comments about Liberty Head Nickel: Collection 1883 to 1912 (Official Whitman Coin Folder).

1. This is a good folder to house your Liberty Head, or "V" nickel collection. I would avoid putting higher-grade coins in this folder, but for an average (good to fine) collection, this is an excellent home.

1 comments about A Silver Legend: The Story of the Maria Theresa Thaler.

1. A Silver Legend: The Story of the Maria Theresa Thaler. Clara Semple. Barzan Publishing. £19.95. xii + 165 pp. ISBN 0-9549701-0-1.
   
   Maria Theresa Thalers can still be found in the souqs around the Middle East, and are often stumbled upon in the far corners of the world. How did a coin from an Austrian Empress spread so far and become so well known? This is what Clara Semple attempts to show the readers of her book A Silver Legend: The Story of the Maria Theresa Thaler. Clara has transcribed a legend upon pages. She first discovered her interest in the Thaler while researching traditional silver jewelry of Egypt and the Sudan. An archaeological artist, Semple has lived and traveled in the Middle East for most of the last half century, and in the process has become a reputable source for information on the Maria Theresa Thaler.
   The book starts off with a brief forward on the history between the author and the Maria Theresa Thaler. This is followed by a concise but informative introduction, which demonstrates the geographical distribution of the coin, along with key points as to why the coin became an important commodity. The next three chapters of the book give attention to the European origins of the coin. These chapters cover silver mining and coin production, an overview of the life of Empress Maria Theresa, and the Imperial use of the Thaler.
   The next section of Semple's book covers the ascent and use of the coin as an internationally traded commodity. The coin that Johann von Fries launched on the world would have a reign of more than 200 years. The last chapter in this section gives numerous first hand accounts relating to the coin. These accounts give vivid details of travel in the region from European explorers and travelers.
   Legends and tales of hidden hoards of coins are given, along with accounts of how rulers in the region made use of them. The names by which the coin has been known, and the attempts to forge the coin are covered. The book is wrapped up with two final topics, the use of the Thaler as jewelry and in jewelry making, and the use of the Thaler as currency for the cause of rescue, ransom, and war.
   Strong points in the book include extensive photographs and illustrations to aid the text and a thorough history of the coin from inception to modern day. The author's knowledge of the subject is apparent in her writing, which provides for excellent reading value. A possible weakness of the book could stem from her love of the subject. Overall, the book serves to romanticize the history of the coin, providing as the title states "A Silver Legend."
   The author supports her book extensively with photographs, historical documents, first hand accounts, and personal experience. A bibliography is provided, which is adequate, but could be more extensive. Footnotes are missing, which could have been used to support historical points in the text, making further research into the subject easier.
   This book would be of interest to anyone who is researching the commerce, economy, trade, jewelry production, or currency of the Middle Eastern region during the 18th to 20th Century. A book where so many levels of culture, society, and history are combined under one title is a rare find. Overall, the book deserves an "A", because Semple provides both an excellent read for "popular" history, and an excellent resource for research.

2 comments about Ancient Coin Collecting VI: Non-Classical Cultures.

1. As the author states, this is not meant to be a comprehensive volume. The field of ancient coins from non-classical cultures is so wide, that I think it is wonderful that someone took the time to assemble an overview that helps the beginner to start recognizing types, and then points them in the right direction. This is especially useful in a field where references for very narrow segment of the coinage are hard to find, and most often very expensive. I myself have invested in a book or two that sounded as if it would carry my field of interest--only to leave me out in the cold, with a very empty wallet!

   I only wish that Wayne Sayles could continue this series to cover coinage from India, Ceylon/Sri Lanka, and Asia as well. An excellent book for those new to the field, or looking to expand their ancient coin collecting interests outside the Classical World.




2. I have bought and read almost all of the books in this series and definitely this is the one that satisfied me the least. In trying to squeeze too many cultures living in too broad of a time frame in just one regular sized book, the reader is just confused on the relation between the choices of cultures displayed. Most of the individual sections are just too short to show the coinage and much less the history of these peoples. One should approach this book as a long, long magazine article that presents some non classical cultures and just that. It is not even a book, as the others in the series are, that entices you to look deeper into the bibliography and that at least gives you the 'big picture'. This book only succeeds in confusing and making the coinage of those already almost unknown cultures a little bit more obscure.

5 comments about Unusual World Coins: Companion Volume to Standard Catalog of World Coins (Unusual World Coins: Companion Volume to Standard Catalog of World).

1. This is a coin catalogue worth buying even if you don't have a single coin it lists. The Unusual coins are really unusual in the way they depict human vain hopes, unattainable dreams, and impossible ambitions. You can see here coins from imaginary or lost empires (Russian monarchists struck their coins in 1990), states that have not been recognized by a single sovereign nation (Hutt River Province) or worlds which existed only in the imagination of writers (the Middle Earth) or private mints (Russian euro coins...). All this is a great tribute to human imagination and entepreneurial spirit, neatly presented in the form of a handy volume.
   Naturally, you may actually collect these coins. In this case you will find the typical Krause quality - lots of pictures are missing, some coins are not listed completely but as it is in the case of all Krause catalogues: you just won't find anything better!



2. Excellent Reference Book, Pleased with quality. Rather complete. Glad I purchased it. Found the coins I had that were not in other catalogs.



3. This book, published as an accompaniment to the big daddy compendium titled 'Standard Catalog of World Coins' is given over to a slew of issues of "novel non-circulating coins, including fantasy issues, micro-nation coinage, medallic types and coins of pseudo-etats." As such, one will find issues from places as varied as 'Atlantis,' the Republic of China, Great Britain, 'Sealand' and Gardiner's Island. Some of the coins listed will have been issued, as in the Republic of China pieces during tumultuous, or perhaps I should say interesting times as a nascent although ultimately unsuccessful state struggled for legitimacy; others were officially issued by recognized and sovriegn nations but not for circulation; some were produced by entities claiming sovriegn status on somewhat shaky legal gounds, such as the above-mentioned Sealand which occupies a World War II anti-aircraft platform in the North Sea; and finally there is a handful of issues that have simply been made up and struck from whole cloth in a manner of speaking,in the monetary equivalent of a vanity press publication. There are other sub-categories but I'm sure you get the idea. The book describes the physical characteristics of the issues, tries to establish mintage dates and numbers, and metallic composition, and sometimes give some background information to boot. The resource is perfect for one attempting to find a little information about something he has found and is curious about. Unfortunately, it is no good for one who wants more than a little information as the authors give nothing more than thumbnail sketches when they give any background information at all. I think the book really falls down on this point. In addition, the author/editors neglect to tell the public what criteria were used to include and exclude various issues. I know almost nothing about this genre but even I immediately questioned some of the entries found in the United States section. I wish that a certain set of rules had been followed or perhaps that the book had been broken up into the various categories so that one would know pretty soon whether these were issued as modern fantasy nation pieces or as once circulating unrecognized states pieces, etc. I bought this version even though there is a later edition now available for the simple reason of cost. This edition can be had for very little money and it is worth every fantasy penny spent, in my opinion.



4. The book has many pictures and the coin price evaluations seem to be up-to-date. I bought this book because of its ECU coin listings.
   Some countries are well covered like the Netherlands and Spain but on other countries most Ecu coins are missing.
   What is really bad is that there are no Pre-Euro coins in this book. Therefore i give only 3 stars.



5. I knew the second edition and hoped this 4th edition would be much more than that first attempts to cover this endless territory of unofficial coins. The reality I found disappointing. There seems no clear line in choices which "coins" are in the book and which were not included. 80 year old issues that should be in this catalogue are missing; recent purely commercial issues that could be ignored are included.
   Prices of the more modern issues are often only the issue price. That doesn't help to find a real market price.
   All together I would say in some cases this book can be really helpful, but often you will find nothing about the coin/medal you're looking for.

No comments about The Official U.S. Mint Cent Coin Tubes.

No comments about After Alexander: Central Asia before Islam (Proceedings of the British Academy).

1 comments about Warman's Coins & Paper Money: Identification and Price Guide (Warman's Coins and Paper Money).

1. Allen Berman's Warman's Coins & Paper Money covers both ancient and modern coins, art medals, bank checks, and commemoratives under one cover. Explanations of grades is quite handy but it's the wider-ranging coverage of this guide which sets it apart and will make it appealing for avid and dedicated collections of all kinds of money.