Coins Books

I found this easy-to-read little book an excellent companion to Travers' more essential "How to make money...". The latter explains the workings of the rare coin market and the crucial grading arbitrage business that can lead to very fast profits. "Top 88..." is written primarily for the long term investor, providing rationale for why certain coins are likely to appreciate or lose value over time. This is done entirely with examples -- both pro and con -- to illustrate Travers' investment coin philosophy. The book is a little dated as I write this and it's likely Travers would modify the list to some degree in a new edition. This is only a minor shortcoming, however, an inevitable consequence of the passage of time. There is still plenty to learn here.

This book is going to help two primary classes of people: 'rare coin' collectors and collectors of 'rare' coins. Please indulge me with my distinction between the two. The rare coin collector is the person who builds a collection of coins, based around, say, getting one of each year and mint mark of the Buffalo Nickel, for instance. The collector of rare coins collects any coin that catches his fancy but which is distinguished by being extremely rare or highly prized within its genre, the 1955 Double Die Lincoln Cent, for instance. This book is going to help the latter type of collector because the coin-world renowned authority on U.S. coins, Scott Travers, has chosen 88 coins and categories of coins that are either 'winners' i.e. highly desirable and much sought after and 'losers' i.e. much hyped as being desirable and sought after but which are not, or carry too much of a premium to be worth acquiring. As a handy reference, this book is great for allowing one to get right to the point without having to do much of any research on one's own. Travers exxentially crystalizes decades of his coin buying/selling experience into brief form explaining why he has picked or panned each subject. These thumbnail analyses will be of help to the former type of collector to begin to understand what it is about an issue or series, mint state or condition, that creates demand and desire within a coin's niche. If one begins to employ critical analysis such as Mr. Travers does in his explications, whilst examining a coin or investigating a new realm of the coin collecting universe, one can make informed decisions about constructing the most highly desirable agglomeration of any given coin genre by knowing which coins to aggressively hunt for and acquire and which can be collected at one's leisure. After one has taught oneself to grade coins properly, this book is a must own for the entry level or, like me, just plain lazy collector of rare coins. Highly Recommended!!

I had a really good time reading this book! I liked all the mystery and the changing coin was cool. I really liked the scene when Mr. Whaffle the guinea pig and Hector the mouse started throwing pens at Paparella. There were so many cool animals! I really want all my friends to read this book.

I really enjoyed reading Pam Smallcomb's latest book, The Trimoni Twins and the Changing Coin. If you like real magic, very interesting characters, an exciting plot and lots and lots of animals, you'll love reading about Beezel and Mimi Trimoni and the Changing Coin.

This is a great book. It has full color photographs of practically every medal issued by the government since 1939. It also gives the criteria for each award. If you collect medals or are just interested in thier history, this is an excellent book.

Shows color plates of all medals, ribbons awarded by the United States. Also shows Foreign Awards authorized as part of U.S. military uniform. The basic criterion for each award is given so you can see if you might be eligible for this award. There are also sections on devices (oak leaves etc.), their meaning and wear, how to wear medals in proper order and on civilian clothing. (a pin is considered appropriate) A section is devoted to the issue of U.S. Medals to Veterans, Retirees and thier families. A Hardcover book which only costs a bit more than the softcover. Generally a well done book. My only criticism as a collector is that it does not show the reverse side of medals. Ed Jones Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 753

As a professional rare coin dealer, this is one of the books I recommend to new investors as well as investors and collectors who are trying to gain as much insight and information into numismatics "before they invest". In-depth and informative, Breens encyclopedia is a must have for any investor or collector of rare coins.

Indispensable for the serious collector as well as the novice.
The "bible" for United States coins. Walter Breen spent his
life researching and cataloging coins. Tons of photos and die
variety information. Highly recommended.

WOW! this hold all your quarters. Its great. I bought it today and its so fun to save your quarters and display them. Its a good investment! §§§Thanks§§§

A great way to keep your collection of change in a handy thin book.Your coins stay in place, and are not easily lost. Most have dates and mint marks, that way you can see what you have or still need. Some books even give a little information on the coins you have. Great for the beginner or exp. person.

Any library strong in ancient coin history will relish 100 GREATEST ANCIENT COINS, an oversized presentation from one of the country's top ancient-coin researchers who examines the finest coins of antiquity. The oversized presentation allows for full-page, large-sized and close-up images of the front and back of each selected coin, while history provides a lively discourse of their origins. Any interested in early coins will find this a winner.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Inside this great catalog, you will find the very best source for all your coin collecting needs. Very well updated and lots of illustrations. Quick and easy to find any type of coin information and also other Numismatic related information. A must for every coin collector. Enjoy this 25th Anniversary Edition . . .

Randy Thern's U.S. Coins Auction Prices Realized 2001 (0-87349-234-X, [price]) holds a high price tag for a standard 363-page paperback, but any avid collector who needs the latest realized prices for the U.S. coin market will consider this an essential desk reference. Pages of auction results for the year 2000 provide details on the actual prices gained for each type of coin.

The 2002 Auction Prices Realized: Us Coins may seem a weighty price for a 344-page paperback, but this contains all the auction results for 2001 and is the item of choice for any who regularly use auction results in determining coin pricing. Chapters include grades for each type of coin, catalogs, and months obtained.

I recommend this book greatly. I'm only 13 and a beginner at coin collecting. This book helped me find out how much my coins are worth. It tells how coins are made, what the ratings mean and gives lots of pictures of the many varieties of coins in the book. A book for all ages.