2004 Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1901 - Present (Paperback)

by Chester L. Krause (Author), Clifford Mishler (Author), Colin R., II Bruce (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Taking world coin collecting by storm, this annual best-seller is the only single volume available offering complete coverage from 1901 to the present day. Over one million prices are catalogued with more than 48,700 obverse and reverse illustrations to make coin identification fast and easy. Listings price coins in up to five grades of condition and include the mintage number and date. Thoroughly researched, all prices are updated to reflect current market values and are given in US dollars. Includes essential reference information such as a how-to-use tutorial, international numeric guide, identification charts, foreign exchange rates and much more.

About the Author
Chester L. Krause started Krause Publications in 1952 with the first issue of Numismatic News. In 1972, he and Clifford Mishler coauthored Standard Catalog of[registered] World Coins. This hobby standard launched the beginning of book publishing at Krause Publications, sparking the flame that would help create the world's largest hobby and collectibles publisher. Since 1952, Chet has been a steadfast figure in the numismatic world. Clifford Mishler joined the company as a member of the numismatic editorial staff in 1962. He has served on the U.S. government's annual Assay Commission and on the Coins and Medals Advisory Panel of the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission. In 1984, the American Numismatic Association recognized his lifelong dedication to numismatics and presented its highest honor to him, the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award. Employed at Krause Publications since 1975, Colin R. Bruce II oversees production of all numismatic catalogue titles that relate to foreign coins and paper money. He has earned 16 awards from the Numismatic Literary Guild for his work.

Product Details

• Paperback: 2304 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications; 31st edition (July 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873495934
• ISBN-13: 978-0873495936
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.3 x 2.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #912,691 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive catalog, but with flaws, August 3, 2002

By	Gary M. Greenbaum (Fairfax, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: 2003 Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1901-Present (Paperback)

No question, this is the best, if not the only reference, for someone, whether collector or dealer, desiring a worldwide comprehensive volume of twentieth and twenty-first century coins. If it has been issued since 1901, you'll probably find it in here (though a few issues get overlooked and later included, but that is not a major flaw).

The problem is that, with the endless stream of non circulating coins being issued by governments (and in some cases, "governments" needs quotation marks. As does coins.), Krause is being forced to fit more and more into a volume which has already reached its limits on size, thickness, smallness of print, and thinness of paper. Something's got to give. Unfortunately, what has given is that the valuable reference material (such as original prices for coin sets) has vanished from its pages.

Maybe it is time to put the junk, like Marshall Islands and similar ilk, into a second volume which, like the pre-1900 issues volumes, gets updated only every two years or so. Or put on a CD-ROM.

Fact remains, though, this is an indispensible reference book for the coin collector and dealer. And mostways, it is pretty good.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not perfect, but surely indispensable, February 27, 2004

By	"vikhr" (Athens Greece) - See all my reviews

The Standard Catalog of World Coins is undoubtedly the best selling coin reference book and a vital reference material for all collectors. The book is certainly not perfect however, and although it is a must-have publication for all those who collect coins from all over the world, there are several mistakes and omissions.

Keeping track of prices is also very difficult and I suspect that in some cases at least, the price quotes come from the application of a general formula (data, mintage, denomination, metals used etc), rather than the international or local market itself. This is not much of a problem if you are only interested in identifying your coins or get a rough estimate of their value, but keep in mind that the prices included are certainly not accurate. The coin market is so volatile that it couldn't have happened any other way.

Should you buy the 2004 version (or 2005 for that matter) if you already own a previous one? Since i live in Europe, the recent currency change had a tremendous effect on coin collecting and the euros were first included in the 2004 edition. Therefore, the answer is yes, as i will probably be buying the 2005 edition too, which will contain many commemorative euros produced in the mean time. If there haven't been any radical changes in the coins you are interested in, maybe you should keep the old one for a couple of years before purchasing a new one.

In general, the Standard Catalog of World Coins is a comprehensive Catalog, which -despite its flaws- is indispensable. Major points of concern are the black & white pictures, and the huge size of this monster that really should move to the digital age and come on a CD. Of course software piracy is a key issue, but this media would realy help collectors access the content.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very detailed but understood book, February 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 1999 Standard Catalog of World Coins (26th ed) (Paperback)

I think it is the top selling coin book in the United States. It gives great detail about the kind of medals in the coin. It is also at a reasonible price.