Product Description
NEW REVISED EDITION! Newly updated to include Presidential $1 coins and Westward Journey nickels! A colorful, kid-friendly book to introduce children to a lifelong hobby, Coin Collecting for Kids encourages children to search for, save, and learn all about many different U.S. coins. Take a tour through the mint and save pennies from four different decades while learning about how coins are made. Slots on every page let kids collect birth-year coins, millennium coins, and twentieth-century coins. Lastly, a gatefold spread will accommodate all 50 wildly popular statehood quarters. Organized by release year, each slot lists the state's nickname, motto, flower, and bird. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (54)

Great Idea -- horrible execution
My seven year old was excited to open this book and spent hours reading it and searching our spare change jars for coins.Then, when he picked it up, half the coins fell out.I couldn't even get many of them to stay in and we haven't even started with the dollar coins yet.We ended up taping the coins into the slots. The level of frustration was huge for both of us and so unnecessary if only they had taken the time to measure the coins and ensure proper construction.

Coin Collecting for Kids
My grandson aged 7 loves this book and has become an avid coin collector, while learning different facts about money, presidents, different states and maps.

the greatest coin book for kids
my grandson (6 yrs old) was so fascinated with this book that he takes it wherever he goes.He has just started his coin-collecting hobby and his reading ability has improved.You can't go wrong!

good
My daughter is 6-year-old, she likes to collect coins very much! this book has so many slots for all kinds of coins. the pennies, dimes, quaters and special presidents's dollars need to be collected. Huge work! I think my daughter will spend most of her spare time to collecting them. However, not all of the slots are fit with coins very well.

Excellent! Incredible value!
I purchased this book as a birthday gift for each of my grandsons ages 8 and 11. They loved it and have been saving their money like crazy just so they can put the coins in the book. I thought that after a couple of months the novelty would wear off, but it hasn't.

I originally ordered this book along with a book for the statehood quarters. But when I got the package, I was delightfully surprised to see that this book was so big, and it had spaces for all the state quarters too, in addition to spaces for the new presidential dollars, pennies, coins for the child's birth year, oldest coins, rare coins, and so much more. I returned the other book because everything was already included in Coin Collecting for Kids. It is easily worth double of what I paid for it. It is very educational and instructive, and it makes coin collecting a lot of fun.

After seeing how much the boys love this book, my two granddaughters (ages 5 and 7) want to start coin collecting too, so I'm ordering one for each of them. ... Read more

Product Description
Can’t make heads or tails out of coin collecting? You need Coin Collecting For Dummies, 2^nd Edition, the treasure trove on information on numismatics. This hands-on guide escorts you through the world’s oldest hobby, helping you decide which type of coins you want to collect, keep your collection in mint condition, buy and sell coins on the Internet, find interesting coin shows to attend, and assemble and diversify a great collection.

The purpose of this fun, easy-to-access guide is to turn you into a world-class coin collector in as little time as possible. You’ll learn what coins can teach you about history and geography, develop organizational and observational skills, and learn to use analytical tools, all without event thinking about it. And you’ll learn the basics about ancient coins, U.S. coins, world coins, and the wild-and-wooly stuff that really gets your numismatic juices flowing. Discover how to:

• Start your collection correctly
• Evaluate coins using age, condition, rarity, and more
• Buy interesting coins without breaking the bank
• Locate rare and expensive coins
• Get savvy about avoiding fakes
• Get the whole family involved in your collection
• Develop a buying strategy
• Clean and handle coins safely
• Keep your collection secure at home and on the road
• Investigate tokens, medals, and miscellaneous coins
• Create complete collections of copper, nickel, silver, or gold U.S. coins

When it comes to numismatics, Coin Collecting For Dummies, 2^nd Edition is right on the money! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Got More Than I Thought I Would
This book is a great overview of the subject of coin collecting.

This book will not give you the value of your coin collection. For that you need the Red Book or the Blue Book.

I did not expect to see information on the business of coin collecting and the legal/tax issues that can come with that. That was an area I hadn't even begun to consider. So I feel I got more than I expected and I am pleased about that.

It is a great first book on the subject. Once you read this book you will have an idea about what other books you will want to read and what web sites you will want to visit. You will also have a fairly good working vocabulary regarding coins.

Coins for Dummys
There was not much of a discription of what the contents of the book contained.Looking for a book that would give the value of the coins.It was informative but not really what we were looking for.

Coin Collecting for Dummies
Excellent reference book for novice and experienced folks.Written with knowlege and a bit of humor, it is definately a "page turner".

Coin Collecting For Dummies
Excellent introduction to coin collecting for the inexperienced collector, and a very good resource for the experienced coin collector.Easy to read, and well organized.

Absolutely a Must Have
Great facts in layman terms, explains all you need to know with a great twist of humor, not too much though, just enough. You will love it if you are new to numismatics or experienced. ... Read more

Product Description
This hardcover book is a comprehensive insider's look at not only rare coins, but also tokens, medals, and paper money. At 34 chapters and nearly 700 pages, it covers everything from grading to determining values to techniques of smart auction bidding.More than 1,300 photographs and illustrations, both black and white and in full-color galleries, complement the text, showing the people, places, and coins described. Bowers' engaging case studies, strategies, and insider tips make the book an invaluable "how to" for today's marketplace. Chapters are devoted to copper, nickel, silver, and gold coins; dynamics of the coin market; fads, trends, cycles, and predictions; conserving and protecting your collection; how to be a smart seller; and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (16)

A MUST HAVE BOOK. FOR EVERY COIN COLLECTOR
I WISH I HAD DAVID.BOWERS AS A NEIGHBOUR. I'VE READ ABOUT 30 DIFFERENT BOOKS ON RARE COINS FROM COLLECTING TO INVESTING AND THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST!

informative with personality
I'm really pleased with this book.It was easy to get into (good for me, a rookie numismatist)and written with a lot of personality.Mr. Bowers does a great job of teaching a potentially dry and detail oriented subject in a fun and lighthearted way.The book is filled with photos and is quite substantial in length, over six hundred pages.Definitely recommended.

Great intro to coin collecting
Not only is this book helpful to the novice starting out in coin collecting, it provides useful insight to people with more experience. This book offers a lot of information to anyone looking to collect rare coins.It provides historical insight into numismatics, as well as historical insight into the coins themselves.The book breaks down into various areas including types of coins (i.e. copper, silver, gold, etc).There is a lot of information in this book, but it will offer details and insight into the many various aspects of collecting coins.

The Best
This book could also be titled, "Everything You Always Wanted To Know About U.S. Coins." Q. David Bowers is an absolute expert on the subject.You can't do better than this.

Great Book, Easy to Read
This is a great book. I recommend it to collectors who are very serious about their collecting. ... Read more

Product Description
There's no mistaking the purpose of this book, or the opportunities it may provide you with. This reference contains deep market analysis of popular rare U.S. coins minted in the last century, with advice and alternative collecting and investing options for you to use, plus answers to common collecting questions and concerns including:

• How do I start investing in coins?
• Which types of coins are the easiest to buy and sell?
• What coins have become top performers in collecting over the last 50 years?

Customer Reviews (1)

An excellent resource
I bought this book because I want to make money with coins more than collect them for the sake of collecting. While I certainly love coins and appreciate their history, my main interest is making a profit. So I bought this book with that in mind.

I was not let down. This is a well-written book on high-quality paper, complete with lots of photos. I was slightly disappointed that the book didn't really provide "Buying and Selling Strategies" as I thought it would and as it promised. It did, however, show how one can truly outdo the S&P and even simple bullion buying.

It described the really rare and valuable coins and what to look for. It even discusses commemoratives.

All in all, I find this a valuable book for the serious coin collector and/or investor. It has a ton of information on numerous topics, including grading. It lacked an index, which would have made it more useful.

Highly recommended.

- Susanna K. Hutcheson ... Read more

Product Description
The Presidential One Dollar Coin Act of 2005 was passed to honor those who have served the US as Commander in Chief.You can share a piece of this history by starting your own coin collection!Four coins are issued each year (beginning in 2007.)

This sturdy folder contains storage for all coins that are and will be issued, as well as a full-color, 64 page book of presidential knowledge and trivia.Packed with biographical and political facts about 41 men who have shaped and changed the history of our country.

Test your knowledge while building your collection:

- Who founded the Peace Corps?

- Who hosted dinner in his bedroom slippers?

- Which president was the first to appear on television?

- Who had a mechanical horse installed in the White House? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Coin Collector
My grandson is just getting interested in coin collecting,this Xmas gift was a very good value. Of course I added a few coins to get him started. Always been pleased with Amazon purchases and I tell lots of friends.

disapointed
I never received this item. Evidently, it was lost in the mail somehow. When I contacted the seller, I was given a prompt refund and apology. I would order from them again as this was a glitch that sometimes happens to anyone. The reason I ordered this item initially was because a friend of mine has one that he bought over a year ago, locally, and they are no longer available. The item is quite nice for any age collector and holds the entire collection when completed. I would still like to have one and know I will order another.

First Time Collector
I purchased this to collect the coins for my daughter.She is 1 1/2 and I have been starting different collections for her. We started because her Grammy was always bringing over the coins.I had about 5 of the presidents and decided it would be something neat for her to have.When she is old enough for the book she will have several of the coins already.I do not have alot of experience on coins but this book is the nicest thing I have seen to collect coins in. I can't say anything bad about it!Good buy for the moneyto!

Makes a great gift
We gave this to our six year old niece and she loved it.She and her dad are collecting the uncirculated versions of each new presidential dollar using this book.

Great bio's of each president up to G. W. Bush
This is a nice book- magnetic catch keeps it closed. Holds coins nicely. Has slots for all deceased Presidents and 6 extra.Nicely illustrated book with a two page spread of info on each and every president up to G.W. Bush.I collect the Presidential dollars for my Grandchildren- and I highly recommend this book- I am very pleased with it.I will give it to each of my grandchildren along with the dollars I have collected so far- they can put them in themselves- and enjoy this book. Then, each year at Christmas I will give them the 4 dollars issued in the past year to add to it- it will give them and myself something to look forward to each year...for many years to come. ... Read more

Product Description
Affordably and effectively stay atop the intensely active world coins market with this go-to guide. The streamlined layout of this reference provides access to nearly 25,000 coin prices of circulating coins from 1901 to the present, 20,000 high-quality photos for accurate identification, completely analyzed and updated prices, and a bonus DVD with image enlargement capabilities. Learn to stay in the know and make the most of every coin collecting opportunity with this coin reference in hand. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A top pick for any serious coin collector
COLLECTING WORLD COINS provides detailed listings of over a century of circulating coins, from early global issues to identifier guides focusing on dominant design characteristics. Dates, weights, and current market issues pack a weighty guide that includes a bonus DVD for easy pricing on the road. A top pick for any serious coin collector.

Great book for new coin collector or life time collector
The way this book is layed out is fantastic from the quick reference guide to the photos of every coin listed so there can be no mix up or chance that you might not have the correct coin. One of the best books on modern world coins I have found to date. If you have any interest at all in world coins this is a book you should have in your book case.

Great Deal!!!
Just what I have always wanted! Every coin that I could not find the origin of was found in a matter of minutes.Details, pictures, values, and more.I do not own a coin book that has this much information and I have a lot of them.I can not wait for the next edition to come out.

World Coin is a must have coin collection book
I had several hundred foreign coins and found everyone of them in the World Coinn Book. It saved me a lot of time and I learned a lot about foreign coins. If you are collecting or thinking of starting to collect any foreign coin, this book is a must have.

Decent Starter Before Real Food
If your coin collecting started from a handful of change brought back from some exotic place by an uncle and has moved only a little ahead ever since, this is your book. This catalogue includes only "real" coins i.e. those which were available at face value not at issue price when issued and which were or still are used in actual transactions.
The contents are neatly divided by countries and the coins are arranged according to their denominations, most of coins are represented in black and white photographs.
However, you should bear in mind that current circulating coins (and conseqently this catalogue) are just a part of a vast numismatic empire. Collecting is just like eating - you may be happy with the starters and live on salads and pasta for ever but at some point you may want to move ahead to more serious dishes - in this case commemorative coins and issues before 1901.
This is a perfect book for a coin collecting beginner but if you consider yourself a serious coin collector you should avoid starters and move on the real stuff. Krause will be more than happy to help you! ... Read more

Product Description
Fashioned in a format suited for today's busy collector looking for intriguing and straight-to-the-point data.

Appeals to a growing collecting community, evident in continued growth of the premiere ancient coin journal, The Celator, circulating in 30 countries.

This book approaches the subject of Roman coinage with the perspective of a lover of great numismatic art and history, and presents details in a condensed and easy-to-follow format busy collectors, both novice and serious, will turn to for answers. The coverage in this new, expanded edition of Ancient Coin Collecting III: The Roman World includes coinage from about 290 B.C. through the reign of Julius Caesar, blending numismatics and history into a colorful tapestry that coin collectors and historians will each appreciate." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Excellent overview
Excellent overview of the Roman Empire and its' coinage. Good quality photos, but it could stand some color shots.

Roman Coin Collecting Book
Nice book on collecting Roman Coins and the politics of the time. Came as described. I would recommend.

Fun to read
Wayne G. Sayles knowledge of Roman coins comes out in his amazing series.Wayne's book's are fun to read. His book's are easy to use. Ancient Coin Collecting III is nicely researched. The third volume focus's on coins from the Roman Imperial Age from Augustus (27 B.C.-14 A.D.) to Anastasius (491-518 A.D.).
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Roman coins.

Excellent beginners reference
But, you really should have all six volumes of the series, plus his guide to counterfeit coins.You must have volume I, and volume II is very highly recommended.My advice:Get vol. I first, then III, then II, then go nuts.You can surely buy them over time.

A Good introduction
This book has a lot going for it, it has over 300 illustrations, it is still only about 200 pages and is in the familiar format of it's two predecessors. The helps are good, it has a comprehensive portrait gallery and is written in Mr. Sayles usual easy to understand and engaging style - that of a writer who loves and cares about what he is describing. The one drawback is that the author felt it necessary to give at least a short bio for every emperor and to read it through can get redundant after a while as much of their history overlaps and repeats, particularly for those with short reigns.

However, if you decide to skip over the emperors who don't interest you and use the portrait gallery as more of a reference section than something that must be read - then it is a great and easy read. If however you really do love the regnal history of Rome - this might be a section of great interest to you and you may love it. Each emperor comes with his own brief bibliography and abbreviated family tree.

Like volume II, the section on "masterpieces" is beautiful and the focus on the coin as artform is a valuable contribution. If you enjoyed either of his previous 2 books this will not disappoint. This is a nice reasonably priced and accessibly written introductory work. It should prove enjoyable and useful for the newbie and experienced collector alike. ... Read more

Product Description
GET STARTED COLLECTING COINS

Have fun and Avoid Costly Mistakes

Want to know just what?s in that box of coins Grandpa Earl left you? Or do you just want to embark on a hobby that will bring you years of enjoyment, and maybe a profit?

Warman?s U.S. Coin Collecting is the book that will tell you everything you need to know about collecting U.S. Coins from author Alan Herbert.

Topics Include:

Product Description
This handy guide is the essential tool for novice and intermediate coin collectors! First-time collectors gain valuable basics for a lifetime of enjoyable and successful collecting, while experienced collectors discover new tips to hone their skills.

Coin Collecting 101 covers the essentials of coin collecting at an affordable price collectors will love. This fully illustrated and indexed guide is an easy read for all ages, with all the details needed for skilled collecting. Grading, errors, current market factors, and glossary of terms are covered in chapters including How To Get Started, How does Coin Grading Work, Determining Coin Values, and Buying Coins on the Internet. Edited by one of the foremost authorities in numismatics, this supreme resource features the benefits of true experience and research.

-Fully illustrated for easy identification

-Features a portable size for taking to shows

-Affordable price ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great For Starters
This book is great for novice coin collectors who are interested in learning the proper way to begin their coin collecting experience.

CA/NJ
Bought "Coin Collecting 101" for my 11 year old and he said it was very helpful, but for real serious collectors. For my son's type of "fun" collecting it a good reference book.

Excellent Starter Book
As a new collector I was looking for a book in which I would find answers rather quickly.This is a great book for beginner coin collectors.

Beginners start here
I've very recently started collecting coins and I found this book to be the perfect introduction.

Very Useful for the Beginner
Great stuff for the beginner in this book - small histories of US denominations, coin categories to buy with caution, useful pictorial guide on grading, basics on coin shows, great tips on preservation.Probably not woth a buy for the experienced, but it is called coin collecting 101.Could have done without all the pages of state quarters.Seriously, it looks like the author was just filling pages.Overall all though, worth a buy for the novice. ... Read more

Product Description
An up-to-date, comprehensive guide that explains everything a new collector needs to know.

Kenneth Bressett, the former president of the American Numismatic Association, has written a clear, detailed guide that gives an insider's view of the fascinating world of coin collecting.

Learn about:
--How to get started in the hobby
--Mint marks, varieties, and what makes coins valuable
--How to care for your collection
--How to grade and price coins
--Where and how to find valuable coins
--How to identify counterfeit and altered coins
--Unusual coins, tokens, and medals ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good Book but Slow
It is ok but I must say that it is not a must have like the reviews I read said.

The Whitman Guide to Coin Collecting
I have always liked coins.I have always regarded them as little pieces of art.However, I usually just put the ones I decided to collect in a bag or a drawer.I purchased The Whitman Guide to Coin Collecting because Iwanted to start getting serious about coin collecting.

As someonelooking for good basic information, I found this book a jewel.It containsthe basic information any coin collector needs, particularly informationabout how to find and properly store coins, the history of coins, and howcoins are graded or valued.In fact, although I was already starting toget serious about my coin collection (minor as it is), the book was sointeresting, particularly when it discusses how coins themselves are trulyhistory, that it really intensified my interest.I have spent a fairamount now on buying proper equipment and materials to store the coins Ialready had and have even begun visiting a local coin shop to purchase morecoins.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with any interest atall in coins.Because of the historical significance of coins, it wouldalso be interesting for anyone with an interest in history. ... Read more

Product Description
You are standing in the checkout line at the grocery store. Your turn rolls around, you pay the clerk and patiently wait for your change. As she places the change in your hand suddenly your heart leaps to your throat and for an instant you even forget to breath!

There in the palm of your hand is what appears to be a "Mercury Dime!" You quickly contain yourself and slip the change in your wallet. When you return home you are able to confirm that you do have a somewhat rare find!
The Mercury Dimes were produced on and off during the 20th century and have a market value of $50 a piece. Aren't you glad you caught the coin collecting bug a few months ago?

"A Beginner's Guide to Coin Collecting" can give you the information you need to find that rare coin and determine if this is a hobby you would like to pursue.

Learn all the ins and outs and discover whether this is a hobby you would like to pursue. If you do have a "stash" of coins you've been gathering in a large water jug, today is the day to discover if you have "buried treasure." ... Read more

Product Description
The ideal identification and price guide for beginning or casual world coin collectors just got better. The seventh edition presents more than 19,750 popular world coins from 330 countries, released from 1901 to date. Nearly 17,000 actual-size coin photos aid in identification. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Much better than the expanded editions
This is way more affordable and sufficient for the average coin collector who is interested in circulated coins of the world. Unless you want information on the modern commemoratives, this is the book for you.

I just wish they made one like it for the 19th century as well.

Decent Starter Before Real Food
If your coin collecting started from a handful of change brought back from some exotic place by an uncle and has moved only a little ahead ever since, this is your book. This catalogue includes only "real" coins i.e. those which were available at face value not at issue price when issued and which were or still are used in actual transactions. It is neatly divided by countries and the coins are arranged according to their denominations, most of coins are represented in black and white photographs.
However, you should bear in mind that current circulating coins (and conseqently this catalogue) are just a part of a vast numismatic empire. Collecting is just like eating - you may be happy with the starters and live on salads and pasta for ever but at some point you may want to move ahead to more serious dishes - in this case commemorative coins and issues before 1901.
This is a perfect book for a coin collecting beginner but if you consider yourself a serious coin collector you should avoid starters and move on the real stuff. Krause will be more than happy to help you!

For the Serious Collector
This book, like the Standard Catalog of World coins (1901-present) also by Krause et al, contains all you need to identify and price nearly every coin from every nation minted since 1901. The book begins with an identification guide containing images of common themes on each nation's coins (for example, the eagle on Egypt's coins), a chart/list of the various number systems (so you can read the denominations and dates on Arabic, Chinese/Japanese/Korean, Hebrew, and Thai coins, just to name a few), and a Hejira-Christian date chart (important for dating Arabic coins).

The main section of the book is organized first by country, then by era/dynasty, next by denomination (lowest to highest), and last by style (with KM number). Within each style are a list of dates, mintages, and prices at various conditions.

The main differences between this book and Standard Catalog of World Coins appear to be: (1) this book is half the thickness and half the weight, (2) this book is printed on higher-quality paper, and (3) this book doesn't contain as many coins that never went into circulation (commemoratives, etc.). So one might say that this book is aimed toward the collector, while the Standard Catalog is geared more toward the dealer.

Covers 330 coin-issuing countries and states
Chester Krause, et.al.'s Collecting World Coins widens the focus to world coins from 1901 to the present, appearing in its updated 9th edition to cover 330 coin-issuing countries and states. Over 20,000 coins are listed by date and valued in up to four grade levels. The black and white coin photos here are even more extensive and essential for identification.

excellent reference to 20th century world coins
Adequate-resolution black-and-white photographs of the vast majority (ifnot all) of the 20th century world circulation business-strike coinage.

Especially historically accurate.For example Germany is divided intothe coinage of various coin-minting units of government over its tumultuousand shattered 20th-century history:Anhalt-Dessau, Baden, Bavaria, Bremen,Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel, Hamburg, Hesse-Darmstadt, Lippe-Detmold, Lubeck,Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Oldenburg, Prussia,Reuss-Obergreiz, Saxe-Altenburg, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Saxe-Meiningen,Saxe-Weimar-Eisenbach, Saxony, Schaumburg-Lippe, Waldeck-Pyrmont,Wurttemberg, German Empire (1871-1918), Weimar Republic (1919-1933), ThirdReich (1933-1945), Federal Republic of Germany (West & unified)(1945-present), Saarland (1945-1957), and German Democratic Republic(East)(1945-1990).I consider that nation-state categorization aloneimpressive and intimate knowledge of coinage production in Germany, letalone the over-300 coin types documented among all of those coin-producinggovernments.Similar detail is taken with a multitude of other countriesworldwide, with whose history I am less familiar.

Number of coinsproduced each year are given as are prices for typically 3 grades: veryfine, extremely fine, and uncirculated.

The only way that Kraus could"improve" this book is to release a 19th century edition, an 18thcentury edition, a 17th century edition, and so forth, because it isdisappointing to have the history truncated at 1901.Although I am notaware of such per-century editions slicing horizontally across the world,Krause has produced vertical slices by country, such as the history ofGerman coins spanning multiple centuries, which of course overlaps in the20th century with this book. ... Read more

Product Description
A full-colour global guide to world coinage, from its origins in the 7th century BC to the present day, featuring coins and collectables from up to 200 countries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

The World Encyclopedia of Coins and Coin Collecting Review
I gave this book to my nine year old granddaughter, she carred around and read it and showed it to her friends. They were amazed at the beauty of the coins and did not have any idea that coins could be interesting as well as useful. The book was written in high interest and easy understanding style. Coin collecting is an old but facinating hobby, I loved the fact my granddaughter is interested in it and it gets her up and doing something other than sitting and watching TV or playing video stuff. She loves the book and took it to school and it recieved great amount of praise. Sandi Ackerman

A Gift
This was a gift so that is why I only rated it 4 stars. The person who received the gift really enjoys reading this book and uses it as a reference constantly.

fine illustraded encyclopedia
great book about coins around the world, many images, coin history facts and collecting guide for every collector, sure increase coin collector knowlegde

Very Nicely illustrated, errors in text
I purchased a copy of "The Complete Illustrated Guide to Coins and Coin Collecting" by Dr James Mackay. This is a paperback edition of encyclopedia with similar cover. I found it a beautifully illustrated book but was Shocked to read the text of the introduction to Sri Lanka. It contained many factual errors and reflected a total ignorance of the History and Numismatics of Sri Lanka.

Let me point out a few.

1) Lankan coinage is documented from 3rd Century B.C.
2) The Chola were from south India and invaded Lanka only in 985 and subjugated the Sinhala who migrated and took over the island from the indigenous Veddahs in the 5th Century B. C.
3) Images [1-2] is a Portuguese Tanga counter-marked by dutch
4) The rupee was not in par with the Rix dollar
1 1/3 (i.e. 4/3) rupees equaled 1 Rix Dollar in 1821
5) The 1/3 Farthing did not circulate in Lanka.
6) Images [3-4] is a half cent from 1870 not a fraction of farthing
7) There was no Local currency from 1839 to 1868 - Indian Silver was used along side British brass.
8) The new emblem was adopted in 1972 coins.
9) Images [13-16] were of commemorative coins issued after 1990
10) The Images [13-14] is slightly smaller than actual size.

In view of these numerous errors in a short bit of text of which I am an expert, I have lost all confidence in the text printed in the guide. I strongly suggest that like Krause, Anness publications, get experts in the numismatics to review and correct the text for each country.

In views of these errors I have corrected the text below and hope this modified text will be used in any future reprints of this Guide or Encyclopedia.

==========================================================================

A number of islands in the Indian Ocean, which were formerly part of the British or French colonial empires, issue their own coins. They range from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), which has a coinage dating back to the 3rd century BC, to the territories that have adopted distinctive coins only in quite recent times.

Following the capture of the island of Ceylon from the Dutch in 1796, and its proclamation as a British crown colony six years later, copper coins were issued by the British in 1802. They bore an Asian elephant on one side and the value or the effigy of George III on the other.

SRI LANKA

The earliest coins were Punch Mark silver of northern India. The Ancient coins of Lanka had the railed Swastika. Medieval Gold, Silver and Copper coins with Standing King "Ceylon Type" were issued from 9th to 15th Century. Coastal area of the island was under Chinese control from 1408 to 1438. Portuguese arrived in 1505. They, in turn, were supplanted by the Dutch in 1658, who counter-marked the Portuguese silver tangas [1-2].

The British took over the Dutch territories in 1796 and made the island into a crown colony in 1802. The British retained the Indo-Dutch currency system, based on the rix-dollar, divided into 48 stivers, or 12 fanams. From 1839 to 1868 British half and quarter farthings and silver three-half-pence also circulated in Ceylon, in addition to Indian silver coinage. In 1872 the currency was decimalized, and the rupee of 100 cents was adopted. Bronze coins of this series [3-4] bore the profile of the reigning monarch (obverse) and a palm tree (reverse) while the silver, or later nickel, coins had the value in numerals in an ornamental reverse [5-8].

Ceylon became a dominion in 1948 but continued to issue coins with the monarch's effigy until 1957. Thereafter the national emblem was substituted in a series introduced in 1963, with name of country in Sinhala and Tamil in addition to English [9-11]. In 1972 the island became a republic under the name of Sri Lanka ("resplendent island") and adopted a new emblem on obverse [12]. A few commemoratives have been produced since 1957, when the 2500th anniversary of Buddhism was celebrated, and many more since 1990 [13-16].
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Coins of the World
This is a great book, beautifully illustrated.Bought it for my niece who has just started collecting foreign coins.It is easy to use, fully illustrated, and gives great background on foreign countries and their history as well as information regarding the coins themselves.Would highly recommend this book. ... Read more

Product Description
It s never too early or too late to learn about money. Follow a class of fifth-graders as they figure out the world of finance, from earning, budgeting, and saving to investing and collecting coins from around the world. See how they make money work for them, and take the mystery out of money matters. When Charlie brings a box of his grandpa s old coins to school, his classmates want to learn all about collecting coins and other currency. Join them as they learn how the idea of money started and the strange things people used before they invented metal coins and paper bills. Find out how coins are made, what secrets can be found on a dollar bill, and how to start your own coin collection. Meanwhile, you ll learn some fascinating facts about the history and culture of currency from countries all over the world. With this book, you ll be well on your way to being a knowledgeable numismatist. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children
Just about every state has content standards beginning in kindergarten covering important concepts in economics. These content requirements, together with the media attention paid to the importance of financial literacy, have led to a greater need for books that will help children to become more informed about the economic world around them. The new book series Money Matters: A Kid's Guide to Money helps to fill a niche in this literature.

One of the books in the series, Coins and Other Currency: A Kid's Guide to Coin Collecting, discusses the origins and production of money and how money is used to buy things.Money can also be saved and used later on, and it is used to signal what items are worth.Younger students enter school already with a basic understanding of how money allows their families to purchase the items that they want and need. With its global orientation, this book will help younger learners to learn about international currencies as well.The book should serve as a useful tool for teaching children much more than how to collect coins (although that topic also gets covered), placing them further along the road to learning about the value of money.

NEVER!
This book was the size of a Dr. Seuss book, and didn't hava as much information as I was expecting.For the amount of money, NO WAY!I sent it back and found a wonderful book for less money with A LOT of information in it. ... Read more

Product Description

From America's leading experts, your ultimate Guide to Coin Collecting

Customer Reviews (4)

From A New Collector
While this book is a nice piece of history and a wonderful overview of Roman Provincial coins it definitely NOT a book to look to enable you to identify any coins you may acquire of this type. The best I can advise to do is get the book and then seek out other sources (well documented in the
book) and use them to attribute those coins in your possession. Make no mistake, I believe the book is good and a beginning to ones library. To identify any portion of Provincial coins in a volume of this size is just not possible. Buy the book if you are just starting as it will give you a good start on their history.

By Far My Favorite In The Series
The study of Roman Provincial coinage is one that needs greater attention now than ever before. With the combined factors of the fall of Soviet Communism, the advent of the Internet and it's various auction sites - these coins are becoming plentiful and an inexpensive overview was sorely needed and Mr. Sayles book fits the niche well. While it is not comprehensive, it is an excellent starting place. For the person who is thinking of collecting Roman Provincial coins or who has started already and feels themselves a bit overwhelmed with choices, this book might help them find some direction and focus.

Like all the other books prior to it, it is about 200 pages in length and it has over 300 coin photos. The print is easy on the eyes and the layout over all is well executed and there is a bibliography within most of the chapters and an index in the back of the book as well as a glossary.

The first two chapters describe provincial coinage itself and the provincial territory in general. The third chapter is the longest part of the book (100 pages) is "A Tour Of The Provinces" and takes the reader through the western provinces, the Balkans and Greece, Asia Minor and Mesopotamia, the Levant, Roman Egypt (it is notable here that Kerry Wetterstrom the current publisher & editor of the Celator - formerly Mr. Sayles publication who is a well known collector of the coins of Roman Egypt wrote this section) & North Africa.

The fourth chapter covers some interesting portraits and "client kings" - often the puppet monarchies of the Roman Empire. The 5th chapter is on understanding provincial coinage and the sixth is on deciphering them - attributing them. Make no mistake though, this book makes no intention of being an attribution catalogue/reference work. Rather, chapter six is sort of a guide for the user who has a "coin in hand" that they are trying to decipher.

Chapter seven is on iconography, items like portraits, temples, astrological symbols and other things common to the series. The eighth and final chapter is like several of it's predecessors in the series, a number of "Masterpieces" of Roman Provincial coins - a sort of gallery of the finest types you may come across.

As a collector of Roman-Syrian and Roman-Egyptian coins as well as some other types, I found the book very satisfying and it is my favorite of the whole series. This book put into the hands of young and old readers alike is sure to inspire a fair amount of daydreaming. I would highly recommend this book to the lover of ancient art as well as the numismatist, it is just as beautiful as it is an informative work.

Finally, a book of basics for a confusing area.
I recently purchased a copy of this book on the strength of other volumes in the series. I was happily surprised to find explanations to many of the questions on Roman Provincial coins (Greek Imperial Coins) that I had not been able to find elsewhere. If you are looking for an excellent introductory volume to this area of ancient numismatics, I can't think of a better place to start. You will want to keep the volume right at hand when you examine your coins, and will enjoy reading it from cover to cover as well. Highly recommended.

A great book for any collector.
If you are a starting collector of ancient coins, or even a seasoned pro, this series is a must for your library.Mr. Sayles does a wonderful job of covering a vast subject in a concise and interesting way.Highlyrecommended!! ... Read more

Product Description
Access to coins and paper from around the world is at an all-time high, while prices continue to sit at higher than historical levels. With these factors working in tandem, capitalizing on opportunities calls for insight on up-to-date information from a reliable source. With a blend of condition and grading details, updated values and full-color photos of Canadian, European, South African, African, and Asian coins and paper money, this book is the perfect resource whether you?re new to collecting or a seasoned collector looking for solid facts in a compact package. ... Read more

Product Description
Numismatists, historians, and everyone interested in collecting ancient coins will be engrossed in this revised and expanded second edition. This must-have volume explores new developments in research methods, particularly with regard to the internet, and reveals many new finds in the field. The first of the six-volume ancient coin series, this second edition features expanded sections on how to collect ancient coins, determine authenticity, and identify fakes. Also discusses how to determine coine values and provides and expanded pronunciation guide and expanded bibliography. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

A good introduction to the field
If, like me, you have picked up a few ancient coins here and there and are wondering if it is something you should develop, this book is for you. Providing an introduction to collecting ancient coins- what and where to buy, how much to pay, how to keep them looking good, and how to spot fakes - as well as a full overview of the main categories of ancient coins, this book is an invaluable resource. After reading it, coin catalogues started to make a lot more sense to me and I became better at judging what makes a coin worth buying. This book is also the first of a series, the others examining each geographical region for ancient coins in greater depth. With many coin books being extremely expensive, I recommend Ancient Coin Collecting as containing all the information a beginner will need in an easy-to-read and stimulating format.

Informative and important !
This book is an invaluable reference and great educational tool for collectors of ancient coins.It explains many aspects of the field in an academic but witty style.Very readable text, also contains lots of reference material indexed for additional study of specific areas of research.A "must have" for those new to this area of collecting.

Agree with other reviews, good 1st book on ancient coins
This is a good introductory book to ancient coin collecting.Getting one's feet wet in this are of numismatics, is a touchy thing in this day of on line auctions...where forgeries are easily sold as authentic.Book covers most everything a numismatist new to this field could want, online help, types, forgeries, authentication, caveats, etc.Good read for the newbie in ancients.

Fantastic!Best first book to get!
This is a great single volume reference on Ancient Coin Collecting.I don't want to repeat what others have written, but I found it to be thorough, well-researched, engaging and well-organized.It will spark your imagination and add to your knowledge base without overwhelming you.

This should be your first ancient coin book
This is something of a potpourri of ancient coin information.It doesn't make a good reference work, per se; there are other books, etc. to purchase when you settle on your collecting theme.It is a great background resource, though, and helped me to clarify my own collecting themes. ... Read more

Product Description
Every coin collector has to start somewhere-- now The New York Times provides a wealth of information in one concise yet definitive volume. Every aspect is covered, from the history and origins of coins to the ins and outs of professional and hobbyist collecting. Topics include:

* How coins are made
* A history of striking techniques, and a look at the U.S. Mint today
* Coin grading: what to look for, and how to obtain professional certified grading
* Where to buy them: the Internet, coin shops, auctions, and places to find great deals
* How to properly care for a coin collection
* The whole spectrum of collectible coins, from novelty items and children's coin collections to high-end, extremely rare collections.

Additional features include profiles of ten historic U.S. coins, a glossary of coin terms, and a detailed bibliography of essential reading. For both seasoned coin collectors and young readers who just picked up their first Statehood Quarter, this book is bound to prove more valuable than a rare mint.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

I did not get it from the library...
...and found it to be excellent, it is THE definitive coin book INHO. And is most certainly not short on details. As for the two grading services...they are absolute industry standards, of course they are the ones discussed. To tell prospective purchasers to "get the book from the library instead" is...well I found such advice to be unpleasant.

check it out from the library instead
I'm new to coin collecting so I think I'm probably the target audience.Although he covered a lot of ground, I felt it was quite short on detail.For example, he really only examines 2 of the grading services, so I still don't know how all the others compare.I'd borrow it, enjoy the easy to read style, take a few notes, and then spend my money on an other one.Which one, I don't know. ... Read more