Succinct summation of relevant numismatic
facts and observations are recorded by legendary coin dealer and author, Q.
David Bowers. A Guide Book of United States Type Coins far
exceeds the goal of educating the public about the various types of coins
minted by the United States. Insightful thoughts on rarity, keys to
collecting, and crucial aspects of striking and appearance, are all covered
in this book, to the great benefit of the collector. Thanks to Q.
David Bowers for sharing with us some of the most important lessons he's
learned in his 50+ years of experience. Highest recommendation for
numismatists of all stripes. Available from
Amazon for only $13.57.
"This is the third specialized Red Book
authored by Q. David Bowers. After a brief history of U.S. Coinage,
Dave offers some insights into type coin collecting, grading and smart
purchasing. These short chapters are followed by the meat of the book,
a coin-by-coin analysis for each U.S. type coin. A complete page is
devoted to each type, beginning with a color illustration. Information
provided includes circulation and proof mintage, designer, composition, key
to collecting, aspects of striking and appearance and proof coins.
Tables on each page provide market values by grade for both circulation and
proof coins and review market price performance over time. Color
photos, 287 pages,
softbound."
Some numismatists specialize in collecting coins from a particular series.
Others have broader interests and prefer forming type sets, that is,
finding at least one representative of a particular type of coin.
For example, in the case of the Liberty Head nickel (1883-1913), a type
set collector doesn't feel obligated to acquire the rare 1913; the goal is
to find any Liberty Head nickel example, then move on to do the same with
another coin type.
For the type set coin collector, Q. David
Bower's A Guide Book of United States Type Coins is THE touchstone
publication. A more authoritative reference is incomprehensible.
The book lists coins that have traditionally
been considered as major types. A "type" is defined by having its
own distinct elements of design.
In all, there are nearly 200 named coin
types. Every single coin type has genuinely valuable information for
the numismatist. A full page is devoted to most coin types.
The ever-popular statehood quarters receive
detailed coverage. The amount of information is surprising,
especially when the short life of the statehood quarters is taken into
consideration.
Chapters are arranged by denomination,
beginning with half cents and ending with $20 double eagles. Every
denomination is introduced by an overview, followed by advice on selecting
a coin for your type set, topped off with a "Beyond a Type Set"
discussion, aimed at readers desiring to learn even more.
Within a given denomination, each major
design type is identified and pictured. Specific information is
provided, including:
Mintage: Cumulative business strike and proof
totals for type.
Optimal Collecting Grade (OCG): This is
Bowers' learned opinion
of a grade offering a combination of good preservation and
market
price. Within the OCG, there sometimes is additional
stratification
based on affordability.
Specifications: Designer, composition,
diameter, etc.
Key to Collecting: Introduces each type and
the availability of
the type in a very wide range of grades.
Aspects of Striking and Appearance:
Interesting commentary on
sharpness of striking, details, and luster. Many
years of research
and hands-on observation summarized here.
Proof coins: Experienced insight on striking
quality.
The majority of coin types display "Whitman
Coin Guides", abbreviated as WCG™.
The purpose of the WCG is to provide data on estimated retail values (as
of late 2004) of common circulated, mint state, and proof coins within
each coin type, approximated availability of the type (based on coin
certification quantities and "gut feel" field populations), and the price
trend history over the last 60 years or so. These all deal with the
type cumulatively. There is no breakdown on individual dates.
If the publisher is looking for a way to improve upon this already
excellent reference, perhaps some data on key dates within the type is a
good idea to consider.
A Guide Book of United States Type Coins is much
more than a close examination of type coins. I was very pleased to
see a 19-page chapter called "A Concise History of U.S. Coinage",
which guides us from the beginning of coinage in early America, right up
to the present time. But wait! We also get some astute advice
on how to go about assembling an enviable type coin collection, one you'll
have fun putting together and will gain consistently in value over time.
Confused by grading? Settle down and absorb the "Aspects of Coin
Grading" chapter. If you don't have a clue how coin grading works,
at least you'll get a few basics here.
As if we haven't yet gotten enough of a good
deal for $13.57, Bowers throws in a "Secrets of Being a Smart Buyer"
chapter, where we learn how to judge eye appeal and how to evaluate
sharpness and related features. As an added bonus, at the end of the
book, there are charts
illustrating the highest prices realized at auction for most U.S. type
coins.
The author, Q. David Bowers, has been accumulating
numismatic knowledge professionally since 1953. A Guide Book of
United States Type Coins is a summation of many of the most relevant
facts and observations that he has made over the course of his stellar
career. Absorb the information in this fine work, and you'll be in
the top 1% of your numismatic class. Highest recommendation.
The Table of Contents is a one page rundown of the forthcoming chapters,
simply listing the chapter names. A few subheadings
would have been more helpful to the curious onlooker, but apparently the
publisher wanted to keep the TOC to a single page. Personally, I
prefer a little more detail in the TOC, because it helps me to get
acquainted faster with the material.
There is no index. A lack of an index
is an impediment to transmitting the knowledge contained within this fine
reference to the student numismatist.
Actual size color coin photos. The
quality is good, but not the best. Enlarged photos on glossy paper
stock would have brought the coins to life, but to do so would have
required a format bigger than the 9.0" by 6.0" format of A Guide Book
of United States Type Coins. The cost would have been greater,
too. That's the tradeoff the publisher decided upon.
The data charts, which the publisher has
trademarked as the Whitman Coin Guides, are crisp and professional in
appearance, easy to see and interpret.
As usual, Bowers writes clearly, logically,
and concisely. Moreover, his congenial style beckons the reader to
join him in yet another new voyage of discovery. His love of coin
collecting and respectful attitude toward the tradition of our country
is evident.
