Coins Books

There aren't that many of us Mexican Coin Collectors in the world and the prices don't really change that much. No need to get the latest Krause when this one works just fine. I have the 2003, 2004 and 2005. It's small enough to carry to coin stores and shows. I've even seen a few dealers cut off the US and Canada portions for convenience.

The good thing about the 2004 is that they went to alphabetical on the Mint listing. If you've used an earlier one to look up prices on 8 reales coins, you know why that's a good thing. A small quibble with the 2005 is the breaking out of the Cap & Ray pesos to different pages.

All in all, the 2004 was the best for Mexican.

This guide seems to be geared to the beginning to intermediate collector who is primarily interested in US coins, but who might also be interested in branching out and collecting Mexican and Canadian coins as well. If that's the intent, it succeeds brilliantly. I'm just such a collector -- and I'm a repeat customer -- I bought the 2003 edition before getting the 2004. Most likely, I will be buying the 2005 edition as well. This book is priced economically enough that one can buy a new edition each year. After all, one can easily blow far more than the book's purchase price on an uninformed coin purchase.

The 2004 edition begins with a series of 13 chapters which will be primarily of interest to the collector who is just getting started or someone who is returning to the coin hobby after some time away. It then gives a very well-presented price guide to US, Canadian and Mexican coins. Virtually every coin listed has a black-and-white photograph showing the coin in actual size. The US and Canadian coin photos are quite good, while the Mexican coin photos, except for the most recent ones, leave something to be desired. While no annual book can keep up with volatility of today's coin market, I've found the prices to be a good rough guide from which to start. It also serves as a great "idea" book for those looking to see what is available in their interest and price-range.

The only thing that stops me from giving this a five-star rating is that it is a little too US-coin-centric. For example, Chapter 12 offers a chapter on "Hot Buys for 2004" but not one Canadian or Mexican coin is listed! Don't get me wrong -- there is some very valuable information here on Canadian and Mexican coin collecting -- I'd just like more of it.

The book's back cover claims that it "Provides all the info you need in one handy reference," and most collectors will probably agree. Highly recommended.

Great look at the history of economics in practice. There is a great chapter about the Castilian experiment on silver and copper currency. It provides great insight and really made me think more about our economics today. Only one complaint: I wish they could've also done a study of the Chinese fiat money currency.

Authors Thomas J. Sargent and François R. Velde offer a fascinating work of scholarship that studies the history of coinage in broad scope and depth. They dwell on a problem that is no longer a problem: the set value of coins. Internationally, consumers take it for granted that so many units of small change equal a larger unit of money. A U.S. shopper never wonders if 100 pennies could be worth more or less than a dollar. But during most of history, the value of small change was a vexing economic conundrum. The authors explore the evolution of the monetary system from Roman times, taking a circuitous and rambling path that touches on many subjects, from sieges to papal speculations. Regrettably, this book may be inaccessible to readers without a firm grounding in economic history and some comfort with higher math since the authors are scholars and assume that you are, too. Nonetheless, we recommend this sweeping book to anyone whose curiosity is piqued by this précis.

Excellent reference work, particularly in the area of patterns.

The Comprehensive Catalog to U.S. coins is the most informative literature to enable the beginner expand his/her knowledge of U.S. coins but also enrich the novice by broadening his/her expertise in other U.S. coins. This piece of work is very helpful for all stages of individuals seeking knowledge of early to modern type coins. I always refer to this catalog of coins when I encounter an early type piece I'm not familiar with. This book not only expands but also tantilize my mind by the many types of U.S. coins depicted. Not a book to loan out if you wish to have it returned. I've purchased my second copy and will a third when it's updated. Thanks for a excellent book.

This is a great book for the established or beginning coin bank collector! It really has a great variety for any type of specialized ceramic bank afficianado. As a long time collector & seller I recommend this book to any one!

This 200 page softbound book contains over 1,000 full color, large, sharp photos of every type of ceramic coin bank. Each entry includes the description, size, dates and value (1997). Although essentially an I.D. and value guide, there is a considerable amount of information of value and interest to the collector. Included are: Ceramic Manufacturing Processes, Dating, Condition, Rarity Ratings, Geographical Ceramic Manufacturing Centers, and Photo Notes. Chapters range from Human heads, Humans, Cats, Dogs and Elephants, to Squirrel, Fish, Monkeys, Lions, Vegetables, Pots, Books, Vehicles and Ships and Purses. A complete glossary and bibliography are provided. Very useful for collectors of this popular topic.

I've very recently started collecting coins and I found this book to be the perfect introduction.

Great stuff for the beginner in this book - small histories of US denominations, coin categories to buy with caution, useful pictorial guide on grading, basics on coin shows, great tips on preservation. Probably not woth a buy for the experienced, but it is called coin collecting 101. Could have done without all the pages of state quarters. Seriously, it looks like the author was just filling pages. Overall all though, worth a buy for the novice.

This is a good book. It was better than the competition at the time, but the current seventh edition is a GREAT book. It has many, many features not found in competing books. It is worth going out of your way to get the curret edition.

Nice book but small pictures. The colour images of US notes in the end is probably the best. Do not use the Standard Fr system for US notes but does have an exchange table. Values of course do not reflect current prices.

This serves its purpose very successfully! Details about the guild, its trade, more cultural details about everything it deals. And most of all, it gives much information about the different types of money (which is not included in any other supplement).

A must if your game is dealing much with money, resources, influence and such.

I bought that book only beacause it's seems quite interresting, all the guild organisation explanation in one book for around 20 box. Well It's really more than what I tought. All about drugs and slaves and the complete hierarchy, history and methods used by the Guild. It's not a must but quite interresting!!

I've just started collecting Double Eagles and this book offered many interesting details and excellent photos of all Double Eagles. There is good historical background offered also.

Dave Bowers has shown us all once again his superb writing skills and in-depth Numismatic knowledge with this fairly new release on what just may be the worlds most popular gold coin, the US Double Eagle. All that is missing from this superb date by date analysis of the US double eagle gold coins guidebook is up to date pricing information, which of course has seen many changes ( most to the upside) since the release of this book.
Whether you are investing in these coins or collecting them , this is one of the guidebooks you need to study this facinating and important series of US gold coins. As a professional coin dealer and specialist in double eagles, I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in these coins. Buy the book before you buy the coins!

Well, i think any, and i mean any recent or long time collector of coins should read this book is because if you want to know anything about coins like how many mints has there been, or why you shouldn't ever clean your coins this is the perfect book for you. It is also the most up-to-date coin book you will ever find because it has the most recent coin listings ever!

I am new to coin collecting but found this book easy to understand. It is categorized in a manner that is easy to follow. I would reccommend anyone looking to evaluate their own collection or someone else's purchase this book

The collector's book has holes the size of the coins cut out, with labels under every hole with the specific year, mint, and sometimes other information about the coin for the hole. I have found it very hard to keep a collection of circulating coins without whitman portfolios.

I took off a star because of two flaws in its design. Most importantly, the backing is very thin, and clearly shows every coin you've pressed into the other side. Also, the coins stay in place by pressing the surrounding posterboard outwards. That means that the force used to put the coin into the book is far more than the force holding it in, and it cane sometimes be a struggle to get a coin to fit.

Just like the Whitman coin folders from when I was a child, good quality, fair price. Excellent option to hold a modest collection in the building stage, until you're ready to move your collection to a better quality folder such as Dansco.