Coins Books

Not a bad deal for ten dollars. The main flaw with the book is that there are very few pictures to help explain the tricks. Though, with just a bit of imagination most of the tricks are easy to figure out. Though, the great thing about this book is that for ten bucks you get 200 tricks. The tricks are all picked that can be done with easily obtainable objects. There a dozens of tricks that can be done with object found at any bar or dinner table. Plus there are some great mental tricks, which are my favorite and require no objects or simply a piece of paper and a pen.

The Nasser D Khalili Collection holds around 2,200 hardstone and metal seals, making it the largest such collection in the world, by far outstripping the nearest rival, the Hermitage in St Petersburg. Mostly craved from chalcedony or carnelian, the seals are inscribed in Arabic or Persian. While the majority are of Ottoman, Iranian, or Mughal origin and date from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries, the items of the seventh and thirteenth centuries, termed here the 'Classical' period constitute a collection of considerable importance. There are also over 300 talismans, most in semi-precious stones. The present volume publishes a photographic record and complete description of the majority of these items. The contributors analyse the employment of seals, both official and private, throughout the Islamic lands; the script and decoration found on them; the materials and techniques used in fabrication; and the existence of some intriguing forgeries. This book is intended for art historians, Islamicists, collectors and curators of Islamic art, gem collectors, specialist art trade, some students, and general readers. With contributions from: Rogers, J. M.; Unknown function: Cavey, Christopher Unknown function: Bivar, David Unknown function: Khemir, Sabiha Unknown function: Bayani, Manijeh

Coins from almost all the countries (1983 times) are listed and most are pictured in this book. Now a days it would be only good as a starter book.

When combined with Whitman Publishing's Canadian Folder Small Cents Vol. 1 (Official Whitman Coin Folder), Canada Small Cents Number Two will bring your Canadian penny collection up to date.

Starting in 1989 this book has a total of 36 slots suitable for holding the current design of the Canadian cent. The slots are numbered through 2010, though if the Canadian mint continues issuing two types of pennies each year, this book should get you through 2012.

The Vol. 1 cent collection had over twice as many slots. I'm a bit disappointed that Whitman only included room for 12 coins per page of this new 3 page folder, while its predecessor could hold 75 coins.

The good news is that Whitman does include separate slots for the main variants, which starting in 2002 include pennies with and without a "P". In good Whitman tradition a concise explanation of the variation and mint mark are included on a summary flap (which makes for good reading).

Overall, this is a solid product and bargain priced. My cents snapped right into place and the manufacturing quality of this book was high. It is sturdy and as I mentioned earlier gives me a spot to put all of my Canadian pennies. The four unnumbered slots at the end will probably be used to show the observe (face) sides of my pennies, considering that since 1920 there have been several changes to the face sides of the Canadian pennies.

Please consider looking at Whitman's other Canadian coin folders that are currently available:

- Canadian Folder Small Cents Vol. 1 (Official Whitman Coin Folder)
- 25 Cent Canadian Folder Vol. 1 (Official Whitman Coin Folder)
- 25 Cent Canadian Folder Vol. 2 (Official Whitman Coin Folder)
- 25 Cent Canadian Folder Vol. 3 (Official Whitman Coin Folder)
- 25 Cent Canadian Folder Vol. 4 (Official Whitman Coin Folder)

It is indeed! It is a book about the unbelievable efforts made to transport gold and silver from New Spain and Peru to Spain between the 15th and 18th century, how these precious metals initiated worldwide commerce, about the rise and fall of the Spanish/ Habsburg empire and how it helped European countries to become economic and political world powers. Waltons book moves through three centuries of world history in an appropriate pace, without leaving out interesting details. It simply is a fascinating book!

Longo has written an insightful book on using technical writing to present scientific and engineering information. She investigates the advance of technical writing from the 19th century to present in her book, using an analogy between science, metalurgy, and technical writing. She promotes the idea that scientific knowledge is the "currency that keeps society's economy circulating," suggesting that technical writing is the coinage in our society that conveys science's message. Longo presents opposing theories for consideration-that writers can use their humanistic skills to misrepresent science, or that writers can add a genuine stamp of science by their writings. She investigates another theory that scientists lose their prestige and ability to progress upwards in their organizations by allowing their findings to be presented by technical communicators with no standing in the scientific community.

The book presents several viewpoints as to how technical communication teachers should proceed to instruct the next writers emerging from academia into the scientific communities. She suggests that although they can find dominant practices in textbooks of previous decades, teachers must look to current debates, journal articles, and scholars to learn how to instruct future students. And above that, they must look within themselves to teach students how to add a humanistic touch to technical writings.

I would recommend this book to students and teachers of technical communication who wish to examine the history and value of the technical communication field and postulate on its direction in future decades.

Kay Walker, Student, Texas Tech University
Master of Arts in Technical Communication Program

This review pertains to the 1979 hardcover imprint of this book which apparently shares the same isbn as the 1960 edition. This 8 x 10 hardbound in approx. 220 pps. is loaded with information contributed by an impressive list of coin-world heavy weights and is, in my mind, a very important acquisition for the serious coin collector. Prior to reading this book I was simply unaware of the extent to which counterfeitz and copies plague the numisnatic universe. Naturally one becomes aware of the famous examples of counterfeit coins and altered coins such as occur in the Mercury Dime series, the Buffalo Nickel series, and the Lincoln Cent series, and it stands to reason that people would counterfeit 'Gold' coins because of the inherent value of gold; however, in addition to these 'common' counterfeits there are literally hundreds of counterfeits made that masquerade for anything from extreme numismatic rarities right down to the spending power of the humble nickel. This book does three major things for the collector. First it defines the parameters of a 'counterfeit' coin and explains the ways that genuine coins can be altered so as to become 'counterfeit'. Second, it gives the reader step by step instructions for how to use known information and techniques to determine if he is looking at a counterfeit. Third, it lists many known examples and varieties of counterfeits and a rough idea of their frequency and historical background. This is a fount of information that is easy to grasp and accompanied by black and white photographic visual aids. If you don't come away from reading this book with the impression that your knowledge and understanding of the American coin universe (commemoratives, tokens and medallions are included here too) has been greatly expanded, I can only conclude that you have read it with your eyes shut. This is one of the few coin books that I have bought, and I have bought many, that I will be hanging on to for future reference; it is simply that useful.

This book focussing on a period of time which the authors state is known at America's First Great Depression, is one of the most well-constructed and well-thought out numismatic books I own. It has loads of great photos (1000) accompanied by important information (relative rarity, size, metal, production year, 2000-01 auction results where applicable, and fascinating commentary that helps to identify or place the token in the genre). According to the authors in their rather opaque and fuzzy introduction, these Hard Times Tokens took the place of circulating change because of a shortage resulting from the peculiar Jacksonian economic politics of the time (including the fight over a Federal banking system). Hence their artwork and slogans often trenchantly reflected the contemporary politics prevailing (either in the form of satire or pure political sentiment). In recognition of this, the authors dedicate an entire section of this book to the Satirical Hard Times Token genre, in addition to cataloguing the token issues along individual State lines. Additionally, there are sections concerning Hard Times related Ephemera/Paraphernalia/Notes, so-called 'Store Cards,' and even Slave Tags. The appendices contain information on the ever-expanding numbering system; an examination of the methodology used for identifying coin states and iterations; discussions on token designers and producers; and wonderful photographic blow-ups as examples. As I said, this reference is jam packed with essential information. As such, I highly recommend this book to seasoned collector and novice alike. It rates 4 stars only because, for the price, it should be hardbound. A new stand alone edition of this text has been released approximately every 5 years so this 9th Edition should remain current until the next prospective update in the year 2006/7.

PLUS:
Excellent guide, good value. One of the essential numismatic guidebooks.

Easy to use and well organized. Is an updated version of the venerable Krause Standard Catalog of World Gold Coins (hardcover), except is missing the 1500's, 1600's, & 1700's.

MINUS:
Pictures are all in B&W, some pictures are poor quality, available only in paperback.


Numismatics is a hobby as any other do not expect a handsome return on your investment, at least not a monetary one. Have fun. Good luck.

This is a very fine resouce book, especially for U.S. tokens issued between 1700 and 1860.

The book gives information on the following categories: * The name and issuer of the token * Photos of both sides of most tokens * A catalog number * A rarity rating * Date or estimated date of issue * Metallic composition * Size * Values for 4 different preservation grades

The catalog is organized in alphabetical order, by state, and has a very thorough Index for ease in locating information.

There are sections that include information on: * Early American Tokens (1700-1832) * Hard Times Tokens (1833-1844) * U.S. Merchant Tokens (1845-1860) * Civil War Store Cards (1861-1865) * Patriotic Civil War Tokens (1861-1865) * U.S. Trade Tokens (1866-1889) * Tokens of the Gay Nineties (1890-1900)

Although this is a very thorough source for a large variety of tokens, not all tokens issued during this time period are included within this book.

If you are searching for token information on the following items this book is NOT the book for you. Little, if any, information is included within this book concerning the following token categories.

* Civil War tokens issued between 1861-1865 * Amusement Tokens * Hard rubber (vulcanite) cards * Indian and post trader tokens * Shell and Mirror cards * Military tokens * Telephone tokens * Transportation Tokens (1845-1900) * Medals (33mm or larger) * Political campaing pieces (1845-1900)

* Prison Tokens

I consider this to be a very good resource book. The only thing that would have made it better, in my opinion, is if it would have included more information on the excluded token categories.