First coin book?
As a writer and coin enthusiast, I had to stop and think when I saw the latest question posed in Numismatic News. Was your first coin book a Red Book?
Every collector, casual or advanced, should own at least one Red Book. This book has everything. Info, mintage figures, photos, history. There are so many editions, including the massive Mega. I fondly remember the Professional Edition, which I consulted umpteen times.
But my very first coin book was a 1966 Blue Book. I got it at a local store when I became interested in coins. I wanted to learn more about the two silver dollars I got for Christmas, and how long Mercury dimes were minted, and how much a dateless Buffalo nickel was worth.
More books followed. When I discovered foreign coins, there was Current Coins of the World. There was an annual Red Book. I had quite a collection of these at one time, only missing the 1st and 5th editions. And then came the auction catalogs, price lists, and Rare Coin Review.
In total, I have owned enough books and catalogs to stock a store. Wish I had more! Collectors, numismatists, need reference books, and will always need them.
Comments
Michael Marotta
Level 4
My first coin book was COINS by John Porteous (London: Octopus Books, 1973). It is a broad history, mostly from Europe, with a broad if sometimes shallow narrative. It is a popular market book. Porteous wrote the more scholarly _ Coins in History_. (Putnam, 1969). Closer to our time, Porteous catalogued the John J. Slocum collection of Crusader coins for Southeby's in 1997. I bought the book that I have soon after it came out. I did not acquire a Red Book until about 20 years later. My interest in numismatics has always been for the artifacts of history, the evidences of peoples, times, and places.
Well worn Copper
Level 5
My first was a used 1965 edition of the Red Book (this was 1969). My father had it and I discovered it one day in a book shelve. It was a bit overwhelming, so I just stuck to Lincoln cents for awhile.
Kepi
Level 6
My first book was the Red Book... ( Seems to be a popular answer ) haha Not knowing to much about anything do with coins, all the information in the Red Book seemed like the best choice.
"SUN"
Level 6
I did not have enough money to buy the Redbook, so my first book was the BlueBook
Longstrider
Level 6
Red Book is probably the best all around reference book. Like you, I have tons of other specialty and auction books. Sadly I buy the Large Text Edition now!! At least I'm still in the game. Thanks
World_Coin_Nut
Level 5
The first book I remember is a Red Book. I remember that it made me realize how vast our hobby was. Some of the coins seemed impossibly old.
Mike
Level 7
First book was a red book. Then I bought the Deluxe for 35 on Amazon.com if your a prime member no shipping. They deliver in two days. But the first book sold me. The regular edition they said buy the book before the coin. That's what I did. I had coins of different denominations so the red book was it. When I saw the blue book that's all I did was look at it. I said this is not for me! Then as I got into different coins I bought those books. What a help. Thanks. Mike