Generally, the two don't really go together. The few coins I see for sale are generally priced way above current selling trends and/or are priced like every coin is a "rare" coin.

I can't help but look when I see coins, medals, tokens and just about anything of and/or related to coins. Sometimes I get lucky and find something I can actually buy, but usually I just pass.

I usually always look at booksellers and 99 times out of 100 strike out here too... Today was slightly different - I found two sellers in the same shop with a few coin books each and almost bought 2 of them...

The first book a review of US Commemrative coins written by Arlie Slabaugh and published in 1962 was a unique hardcovered book published on glossy paper. I loved the subject and price, but was a little "skeered", as we say in the South. The book had some mildew staining all over the cover and while the pages were in great shape I was a little worried about the cover. I passed on this one.

The second book was a Collectors Series book published by Wayte Raymond in the early sixties. This one is more of a booklet and focused on early Large Cents and was basically a study on die marriages. This one was in good shape and had a stamp from a local Charleston coin shop from the sixties. The seller wanted $20, which I thought was a little steep for a 20 page booklet. Perhaps I'm wrong on this one, if for no other reason than it was published by Wayte Raymond. I also thought perhaps that I could find it for less money on eBay - a foolish thought at times...

I'm now kind of wishing I had bought the Large Cent book. Anyone out there have experience with Wayte Raymond Collectors series books? They have a sort of chocolate brown heavyweight paper cover, glossy pages with pictures and a fairly simple. Sort of reminds me of a much smaller version of the ANA magazine from the first half of the 20th century. Is $20 fair for one of these? I'd appreciate any feedback any of you might have.

One last thing in the same shop that caught my eye. I usually ignore medals but a Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey circus medal celebrating their 100th anniversary in 1970 was quite interesting. It looked to be a copper or bronze issue with the original card when issued. It was slightly over priced as there are currently two on eBay for $15 - but this example had some rather unique toning that enhanced the beauty of the obverse.

Today's pic the reverse of my Washington Carver Commem, as an homage to the Arlie Slabaugh book I wanted...

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