The New York Times Guide to Coin Collecting: Do's, Don'ts, Facts, Myths, and a Wealth of History (Paperback)

~ (Author), Scott Travers (Foreword) "Through most of recorded history, money has been a preoccupation, a pursuit-even a passion-for much of the human race..." (more)
Key Phrases: statehood quarter program, hobby periodicals, statehood quarters, United States, American Numismatic Association, Philadelphia Mint (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Every coin collector has to start somewhere -- now The New York Times provides a wealth of information in one concise yet definitive volume. Every aspect is covered, from the history and origins of coins to the ins and outs of professional and hobbyist collecting. Topics include:

* How coins are made
* A history of striking techniques, and a look at the U.S. Mint today
* Coin grading: what to look for, and how to obtain professional certified grading
* Where to buy them: the Internet, coin shops, auctions, and places to find great deals
* How to properly care for a coin collection
* The whole spectrum of collectible coins, from novelty items and children's coin collections to high-end, extremely rare collections.

Additional features include profiles of ten historic U.S. coins, a glossary of coin terms, and a detailed bibliography of essential reading. For both seasoned coin collectors and young readers who just picked up their first Statehood Quarter, this book is bound to prove more valuable than a rare mint.

About the Author

Ed Reiter is the editor of COINage magazine, and is a former coin columnist for The New York Times. He lives in New Jersey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (August 16, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312291264
• ISBN-13: 978-0312291266
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #573,220 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars check it out from the library instead, July 7, 2005

By	xxx - See all my reviews

I'm new to coin collecting so I think I'm probably the target audience. Although he covered a lot of ground, I felt it was quite short on detail. For example, he really only examines 2 of the grading services, so I still don't know how all the others compare. I'd borrow it, enjoy the easy to read style, take a few notes, and then spend my money on an other one. Which one, I don't know.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I did not get it from the library..., September 28, 2007

By	Continental Nobleman "bratboy" (USA) - See all my reviews

...and found it to be excellent, it is THE definitive coin book INHO. And is most certainly not short on details. As for the two grading services...they are absolute industry standards, of course they are the ones discussed. To tell prospective purchasers to "get the book from the library instead" is...well I found such advice to be unpleasant.