No comments about Warman's U.S. Coins & Currency Field Guide: Values and Identification (Warmans U S Coins and Currency Field Guide).

No comments about Confederate States Paper Money: Civil War Currency from the South (Confederate States Paper Money).

No comments about Illustrated Catalog of Chinese Coins, Vol. 2: Gold, Silver, Nickel and Aluminum (Illustrated Catalog of Chinese Coins).

2 comments about Ancient Coin Collecting VI: Non-Classical Cultures.

1. As the author states, this is not meant to be a comprehensive volume. The field of ancient coins from non-classical cultures is so wide, that I think it is wonderful that someone took the time to assemble an overview that helps the beginner to start recognizing types, and then points them in the right direction. This is especially useful in a field where references for very narrow segment of the coinage are hard to find, and most often very expensive. I myself have invested in a book or two that sounded as if it would carry my field of interest--only to leave me out in the cold, with a very empty wallet!

   I only wish that Wayne Sayles could continue this series to cover coinage from India, Ceylon/Sri Lanka, and Asia as well. An excellent book for those new to the field, or looking to expand their ancient coin collecting interests outside the Classical World.




2. I have bought and read almost all of the books in this series and definitely this is the one that satisfied me the least. In trying to squeeze too many cultures living in too broad of a time frame in just one regular sized book, the reader is just confused on the relation between the choices of cultures displayed. Most of the individual sections are just too short to show the coinage and much less the history of these peoples. One should approach this book as a long, long magazine article that presents some non classical cultures and just that. It is not even a book, as the others in the series are, that entices you to look deeper into the bibliography and that at least gives you the 'big picture'. This book only succeeds in confusing and making the coinage of those already almost unknown cultures a little bit more obscure.

4 comments about The New Successful Coin Hunting.

1. While much of what this Mr. Garrett writes can be helpful to someone new to the hobby of metal detecting (such as learning how to pinpoint targets, and how to dig for coins), this book must be read with these things in mind:
   1) It is heavily biased since it is written by Charles Garrett of Garrett metal detectors. He neglects to mention or picture other metal detecor brands.
   2) Mr. Garrett's discussion on detector technology is largely obsolete.
   3) Many of the claims presented in the book are highly sensationalized and idealistic. Sure, the stories about people finding gold coins and hoards of buried coins are entertaining to read, but even my local coin dealer who sells coin detectors says he has never heard of anyone finding such items.
   4) This book does not give a well-rounded view of the metal detecting hobby. Mr. Garrett only emphasizes the good and the sensational, making it sound like anyone can make a lot of money metal detecting coins. This is just not the case unless you make metal detecting your part-time job. To find the good coins, you will have to spend a great deal of time researching (which Mr. Garrett mentions) and even then, you will have to dig a lot of trash. You can spend three hours in a field and all you find is a button and a few current coins. Garret's book gives you the impression that gold coins are buried right in your backyard. This is simply not true. Avoid this book, as it is nothing more than an elaborate Garrett sales brochure.



2. While much of what this Mr. Garrett writes can be helpful to someone new to the hobby of metal detecting (such as learning how to pinpoint targets, and how to dig for coins), this book must be read with these things in mind:
   1) It is heavily biased since it is written by Charles Garrett of Garrett metal detectors. He neglects to mention or picture other metal detecor brands.
   2) Mr. Garrett's discussion on detector technology is largely obsolete.
   3) Many of the claims presented in the book are highly sensationalized and idealistic. Sure, the stories about people finding gold coins and hoards of buried coins are entertaining to read, but even my local coin dealer who sells coin detectors says he has never heard of anyone finding such items.
   4) This book does not give a well-rounded view of the metal detecting hobby. Mr. Garrett only emphasizes the good and the sensational, making it sound like anyone can make a lot of money metal detecting coins. This is just not the case unless you make metal detecting your part-time job. To find the good coins, you will have to spend a great deal of time researching (which Mr. Garrett mentions) and even then, you will have to dig a lot of trash. You can spend three hours in a field and all you find is a button and a few current coins. Garret's book gives you the impression that gold coins are buried right in your backyard. This is simply not true. Avoid this book, as it is nothing more than an elaborate Garrett sales brochure.



3. This is a great book which got me started in metal detecting. It is extremely helpful, and will motivate treasure hunters by giving ideas on new places to hunt, it is also written very well and is easy to understand. The only drawback is that like most Garrett texts it promotes Charles Garrett's personal brand of metal detector



4. Beginner or experienced, you will love this book! The New Successful Coin Hunting is a modern version of Garrett's previous book "Successful Coin Hunting". The New version gives you ideas where to hunt, how to hunt, dig, clean, and even how to choose the right metal detector! It even has information on the newer computerized detectors. This is the book you want to take out on the 'field' with you when you hunt. Happy hunting!

5 comments about The Coin Collector's Survival Manual, 5th Edition (Coin Collectors Survival Manual).

1. Collecting coins is a great hobby for both the young and the old. If you are going to get into selling coins as well, this is a MUST READ. Spend the time with this book and you will avoid getting ripped-off and actually make some money.



2. I have been a fan of Scott Travers books for a while now. When it came time to sell my collection after reading a few books, Mr. Travers who promotes himself and his firm throughout this particular book, was nowhere to be found. I followed the advice in this book and tried to contact Mr. Travers several times by phone and email to sell my collection valued at over $20K. After leaving messages on more than one occasion, I received a phone call inquiring on my collection, and explaining I would receive another phone call later. That phone call never came. All I would ask is that this author, who took time to write a book claiming to be the best of it's kind on the market, to follow through with his own words.



3. I've decided to begin collecting and needed something to kick-start my hobby. This book appears to be a nice way to ease into it. It gives the basic grading systems and sound advice. It's not too detailed and covers what you might require as a novice. If you're considering US coins, get the "Red Book" as well for pricing and more info.



4. Recently I had inherited a coin collection. Honestly, I basically knew very little about coin collecting. I found this book to be very informative, and very helpful in learning about this hobby. I like that Scott Travers writes in a no-nonsense style. He is easy to read, and better yet, easy to understand. I think he goes well to describe many aspects of coin collecting.
   
   I like that the book takes it time in telling you about the grading of coins, where to purchase coins, and better yet the pitfalls and traps inexperienced people may fall into. I like the many pictures throughout the book and found them instrumental in understanding about grading, and how to look at coins for any possible defects.
   
   I would recommend this book to the novice, as well as the more experienced coin collector. I think this book covers many aspects of coin collecting that everyone can gain knowledge from. This is definately the ideal book to pick up for someone who is interested in collecting coins.



5. OK, so I'm biased. I've known Scott Travers since he was a teenager, and I've worked professionally with him on a number of projects over the years, including this book. But I'm also a former consumer affairs reporter, former American Numismatic Association Consumer Education Committee Chair and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau in Chicago. Yeah, I'm a big believer in consumer education and protection. That's exactly what Scott's new book provides: absolutely crucial information for anyone who wants to buy rare coins whether for future financial gain or just to make sure you're getting a good deal today.
   
   At the February 2006 Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo I watched and listened as an unsuspecting "collector" who purchased several gold coins in an online auction was crushed to learn from several reputable dealers that his "MS68" Saint Gaudens was only MS64 at best and worth thousands less than the $8,000 he paid for it. If he'd read Scott's chapters about grading and online auctions he would have saved money --and grief.
   
   Even if you don't buy five, six or seven-figure coins, this book will help save you or make you hundreds of dollars by knowing insiders' secrets about buying and selling even modestly priced coins. COINage Magazine's Senior Editor, Ed Reiter, called this new edition "...the gold standard for coin books on consumer protection and investment." I agree.
   
   -donn-
   Donn Pearlman
   (Affiliations given for identification purposes only)

No comments about A Guide Book of Modern United States Proof Coin Sets: A Complete History and Price Guide (Official Red Book).

1 comments about Standard Catalog Of World Coins 1601-1700 (Standard Catalog of World Coins 17th Century Edition 1601-1700).

1. This formidable work manages to be comprehensive despite the scope and ambiguities of the period covered. The listings of coins themselves are in step with very recent numismatic discoveries. Accompanying photographs to many of the coinages are clear and fairly representative. Now, the length with which German issues are treated may surprise some, but this may be due to availability of records. Also, the prices quoted for most coins in general seem very approximate at best (particulary for issues from within many Spanish dominions), but this is only to be expected of a publication that must remain usable over several inflationary years. As a reference in identifying coins from the world of the 17th century, this Standard Catalog will stand one in good stead indeed!

No comments about Kennedy Half Dollars Folder 1986-2003 (Official Whitman Coin Folder).

No comments about Washington Quarters: State Collection, Vol. 2: 2004-2008.