Suggestions on which book to get

[stinkycheese1]

Right now I'm almost finished reading the book, "Numismatic Forgery".

 

I'm looking for another book on gold coins. I'd prefer one on classic head gold, but since I can't seem to find one, I've found 3 other gold coin books. If anyone knows of any others any information would be appreciated.

 

I would like to know which one has the best information, or if you own the book(s), which one you think is best. How do they differ? I thought I'd make this thread because I want to get a good book that I like before I go and spend alot of money on these huge books. Since I don't know the contents of the book, it's hard for me to choose one. The first one here is sold by whitman, rather expensive. I bet I could find it on ebay cheaper. The second book I found in used condition for a good price on ebay (Not in the link), the third one I would like to possibly get because I do have one double eagle left (saint gaudens) and would like to learn more about the history of my double eagle.

 

http://www.whitmanbooks.com/Default.aspx?Page=81&ProductID=0794817653

"Encylopedia of U.S Gold Coins 1795-1933"

By Jeff Garett and Ron Guth

 

"United States Gold Coins An Illustrated History"

By Q. David Bowers

http://cgi.ebay.com/United-States-Gold-Coins-An-Illustrated-History-D-Bower_W0QQitemZ3951051582QQihZ004QQcategoryZ530QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

 

 

"A guide book of double eagle gold coins"

Written by David Q. Bowers

 

http://www.whitmanbooks.com/Default.aspx?Page=81&ProductID=079481784X

 

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have the second book and like it. I would get that book to start out.

[DaveG]

Stinky,

 

You're right, there is no book on Classic Head gold.

 

As for the three you listed, it really depends on what you want.

 

I have a copy of Garrett/Guth - it's a big book (636 pages and 8 1/2" x 11"). It has some introductory text and then devotes about a third of a page to each and every gold coin - circulation strikes, proofs, patterns, etc. You get a nice picture of each coin, but, frankly, there's not much information you can pack into a paragraph (which is basically what each coin gets).

 

I don't have a copy of the Bowers book, but I did look through it a few years ago - as I recall, it's more of a "coffee table" book - lots of pictures, not much text.

 

I also have a copy of the Red Book of double eagles. For $17, this is a great value. There's a lot of text about double eagles, discussions of each of the major sunken treasure ships and their contents and a half page or so on each coin.

 

As I said, it really depends on what you want: Do you want an overview of all US gold coins with lots of pictures or do you want a lot of information?

 

If you happen to be lucky enough to have family members who would spend that much on you for your birthday, etc., I'd suggest putting the Garrett/Guth and Bowers books on your birthday, etc. lists.

 

I'd also suggest looking for copies on Bookfinder.com . It's a meta-search engine and very useful for finding used or new books inexpensively.

 

Edited to add: If you're looking for other booksand information on gold coins, then Doug Winter's website is a great place to start: you can see the books he's written and you can read a lof of articles - for free! (and you can't beat free).

[DirtyGoldMan]

I own all three, and each is good for its purpose.

 

Book #1 is a good overview of US gold coins, but not much depth on the individual issues.

 

Book #2 is has more meat, more history, but is less encyclopedic.

 

Book #3, obviously, focuses on double eagles only. While there is a fair amount of history that is applicable to all US gold coins, it is obviously more geared to the collector/investor for $20 Libs and Saints.

 

 

[World Colonial]

I have already provided the advice I can before and what you do is up to you. But I find one comment in your post very interesting. You say that one or more of them are very expensive and for a book, you are probably right. But the question I have for you is this, if you find the books expensive, how you propose to be able to afford the coins which are the subbect matter within them?

[tenacious]

If you do decide to get:

 

"United States Gold Coins An Illustrated History"

By Q. David Bowers

 

look on abebooks.com, Amazon used sellers or just use bookfinder as DaveG suggested. That eBay link lists it as $75. You can get a fine copy for half of that.

[Oldtrader3]

Kevin, The Harry W. Bass, Jr., Museum Sylloge, by Q. David Bowers has plates and quite a bit of information on pre-1840 gold coins. Plus the book has a great many very fine plate pictures of gold coins. I do not believe that this book is still in print because I bought my copy several years ago, but you may be able to find a copy at Whitman Books. Plus, there is a website: www.harrybassfoundation.org where there is a great deal of information

[stinkycheese1]

I bought the book from a seller on amazon, used, in good condition for $20 shipped.

 

The name of it is "United States Gold Coins, an Illustrated history"