Customer Reviews

Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the ultimate book on American numismatics, and I use it almost every day. Walter Breen was the most dedicated researcher imaginable. There are hundreds of mistakes in the book, but there are millions of things he got right, so the errors are mostly insignificant. A++

If you collect US coins there is simply no better referrence than this book. It is absolutley full of useful and vital information for the serious collector. Its expensive, but worth every penny.

Get it.

Perhaps only a coin collector can realy appreciate this book for what it truly represents, but anyone that wants to know about a coin variety can use it !! This book is a one stop shopping coin variety encyclopedia. Variety of coin means nothing more than coin variations, the different things done in manufacturing throughout a coins life that differentiate from any other of the same minted coins in series. The Lincoln cent has been minted for almost 100 years; and there are litteraly 1000s' of Lincoln cent varieties, ie: 1909, 1909s, 1909svdb, 1922 plain no "d" weak obverse & strong reverse, 1960 lrg. date, 1960 sml. date, 1955/55 double die, and on ....... These variations hold true for all coins ever minted in the U.S. The pictorial examples of these variations, not to mention the research that went into them, is surpassed by none !! Its always been difficult for this writer to acquire this book do to its cost, but Amazon.com not only priced it right, " it made it possible ", Thanks Amazon

As a coin dealer by trade I find this book indispensable. Most truly RARE coins have a Breen #, so ask for this # when buying coins and you can get truly important information quickly and easily. This book however, is not for beginners, sorry.

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.

Gives many details on rarity and history of US coins. Lists everything from Colonials (1600's) to present (1988). Goes date by date & by mint & comments on the rarity of existing specimens as well as the history behind each. Beautiful illustrations of just about everything. Note that it doesn't include prices however rare coin prices may change radically from week to week (just like stock prices). Thus really coin prices must be gotten from a weekly coin-newpaper. The purpose of this book is to give the history, story, and comments on the rarity (rarity doesn't not always correlate to price) of All US & colonial coinage. A must-have if you're going to be serious about US coin collecting. Also they're certainly easily obtainable still despite Amazon's comments on un-availability.

An unusually exceptional guide through the world of United States numismatics. If you are a serios collector, this will become your collecting Bible. My personal knowledge has never been more enriched by any publication! A must have reference...

Although I don't collect US coins I keep reading this book before going to bed for some time now. It is just incredible. What I love the most is his rather cynical tone and the fact that he has an OPINION about things and people. Seems to me this had nearly disapeared in anything written in US numimsatics... As I said, I wish I had a work like this for my area !

This is _the_ reference book for coins. Ok, it doesn't have prices. It does provide everything else that you need to know as a novice collector. I have been collecting since I was 8 years old. I still use this book constantly. Two decades later. It lists thousands of coins (most are illustrated.) and has hundreds of references for further study. Buy this book now, ignorance is expensive.

A spectacular amount of information. The book is certainly the most comprehensive reference volume regarding U.S. coins.