Next "Renaissance" book available in September.

[RWB]

Several folks have asked about the next “Renaissance” book. Here are the details:

 

Renaissance of American Coinage 1909-1915 will be available in September. There is an ad in the current issue of Coin World for a special pre-publication price good through Sept 30. Copies can also be purchased from numismatic booksellers and major book stores after the latter part of September.

 

This is the third and final book covering the new, artistic designs on American coins beginning with the Theodore Roosevelt/Saint-Gaudens’ collaboration in 1907 and ending with Anthony deFrancisci’s Peace dollar in 1921.

 

Like the previous books – which won NLG Book-of-the-Year honors for 2006 and 2007– Renaissance of American Coinage 1909-1915 examines the origin, design and early production of US coins during this six-year period. Coins covered include: Lincoln cent, Buffalo nickel and all four Panama-Pacific Exposition commemoratives. These chapters have the latest and most complete information available from original sources. Although the cent and nickel have been discussed previously, notably in David W. Lange’s excellent books on these two coins, Renaissance of American Coinage 1909-1915 treats the subjects in much greater depth. The book presents full versions of many key documents as well as many newly discovered documents, photos and drawings. As was shown in the 1916-1921 book, businessman Clarence Hobbs plays an important role in disrupting both artistic creativity and the mint's production plans.

 

In between these two familiar coins, the book delves into the mysterious tenure of mint director A. Piatt Andrew, and his crusade against pattern coins. This culminated in the temporary seizure of coins from collector John Haseltine and the senseless destruction of hundreds of pattern coin hubs and dies dating back to the 1860s. There is also the first extensive information on Charles Barber’s Washington nickel designs, the Coinage Act of 1912, experiments with alloys and square and holed coins, and the sale of a secret Treasurer’s hoard of gold coins for benefit of the Philadelphia Mint collection.

 

The book concludes with a look at the origin and design of the Panama-Pacific commemoratives. Newly discovered artist’s drawings show what was initially planned for the gold dollar, fifty dollar and half dollar. There is also an interesting medal design by Barber that anticipates his quarter eagle. The PPIE information not only includes many previously unknown documents about these coins, but also presents some of the daily the reports to Washington about continuing problems with Farran Zerbe and his medal and coin sales. A final short section presents some of the correspondence of T. Louis Comparette, curator of the Philadelphia Mint collection, discussing his sale of hand-selected and pyx coins to museum collections.

 

Anyone who has additional questions, please send me a PM so as not to commercialize the boards.

 

Thanks!

 

PS: The book is printed in the USA - no Chinese parts and no lead paint.

[DWLange]

I've already ordered mine, and I'm really looking forward to its arrival in the mail. This three-volume set is a real milestone in American numismatics.

 

As noted above, the first two volumes each won the NLG's Book of the Year Award. Also, Roger was elected to the prestigious Rittenhouse Society a few weeks ago as the result of his outstanding research and writing.

[BillJones]

I got caught flat footed on this one.

 

Where can you buy these books?

[DaveG]

Bill,

 

If you don't read Roger's first paragraph carefully, you'll never know!

 

 

 

 

 

Edited to add: The first two volumes are available at most numismatic booksellers.

[rrantique]

I've already ordered mine, and I'm really looking forward to its arrival in the mail. This three-volume set is a real milestone in American numismatics.

 

As noted above, the first two volumes each won the NLG's Book of the Year Award. Also, Roger was elected to the prestigious Rittenhouse Society a few weeks ago as the result of his outstanding research and writing.

 

Congratulations Roger and a job well done. (thumbs u

[michael]

This three-volume set is a real milestone in American numismatics.

 

As noted above, the first two volumes each won the NLG's Book of the Year Award. Also, Roger was elected to the prestigious Rittenhouse Society a few weeks ago as the result of his outstanding research and writing.

 

(thumbs u

 

 

 

 

[DC Dawg]

PS: The book is printed in the USA - no Chinese parts and no lead paint.

Aside from having a great sense of humor, the books are fantastic. The first two are on my "must read" list and I am sure the third one will join them!

 

(thumbs u Excellent job, Roger!

 

P.S. I'll see you in the office for an autograph when I get the book!!

 

Scott

[RWB]

Thanks everyone for the kind remarks!

 

(Scott - call my cell phone first to be sure I'm not at the Census.)

 

Although this book is not back from the printer yet, several folks have asked about the next one....OK, but no more "Renaissance" books....

 

The next book project covers the Depression and WW-2, tying together monetary policy and the national emergencies with coinage, paper currency, the war effort and propaganda. Already found some neat stuff such as the reason proof sets were made in 1936, reaction to Japanese invasion fears, and why steel cents were dropped in 1944, among other things. I figure this one will take another 4-5 years to research and write – in one volume.

 

[RWB]

There was a question about the cost of the Renaissance books. I don’t want to get commercial on the boards, so here are some basics and each of you can go from there:

 

Each of the three books, 1905-1908, 1909-1915 and 1916-1921 has a cover price of $64.95. The publisher has a special price on the new 1909-1915 book of $44.95 ppd. Major resellers, such as Amos Advantage, the ANA, Barnes & Noble, Borders Books, Stack’s and others apparently discount the books or offer other incentives, but collectors will have to check.

 

All three books are in-print, so if you see a price of “$92.78” or some such cost on a major on-line book seller, keep looking or contact the publisher (Seneca Mill Press LLC, PO Box 1423, Great Falls, VA 22066).

 

[i hope this does not go over the line on commercialism...if it does, please let me know so I can change the post]

[DirtyGoldMan]

I have ordered mine, and I cannot wait to get it.