For the uninitiated, the world of early American copper can be a confusing place. The fledgling United States was decidedly behind their European contemporaries in minting technology and resources. The Philadelphia mint suffered for lack of good die steel, quality planchets, and skilled labor. As a result, those of us who collect the half cents and large cents of the late 18th and early 19th centuries have a vast number of distinct varieties to draw our attention. Consider: the 1794 large cent alone has 58 different varieties!

Luckily there are many excellent standard references to assist us in navigating the myriad possibilities open to us in this fascinating field of numismatics. Here are the meat and potatoes books to illuminate your path.

1.The Half Cent Die State Book 1793-1857

Since its publication in 2000, this volume has become THE half cent attribution book. Each variety is illustrated with multiple plates and individual die states are described for each variety as well. The research is far superior to Breen.

2. Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents, 1793-1857

For a complete review of this book, see my review post here.

3. American half cents, the “little half sisters”: A reference book on the United States half cent coined from 1793 to 1857

This was the original attribution guide for U.S. half cents. Somewhat obsolete, the volume still has much merit and should be a part of every half cent lover’s library if for no other reason than to compare and contrast with the newer references.

4. WALTER BREEN’S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF EARLY UNITED STATES CENTS 1793-1814

Published in 2001 in collaboration with Del Bland and Mark Borckardt, this is by far the most current reference for early large cents. Not only are all known varieties illustrated and described but there are also many additional chapters on minting technology, mint errors, and much more.

5. United States Large Cents 1793 – 1814

From EAC: “A revision of Sheldon’s “Penny Whimsy”. Updated rarity ratings and condition census data for all varieties. Contains approximately a dozen new varieties not in Penny Whimsy. Superb 3 inch diameter plates of obverse and reverse of each variety with lots of additional plates for important die states.”

6. Penny Whimsy

The standard reference on early date large cents from 1958 until the Noyes update. Still very adequate today, though some newly discovered varieties are not represented.

7. United States Large Cents 1816 – 1839

Like his early date volume, this reference features huge 3 inch diameter plates of the obverse and reverse of every middle date variety. The Noyes books make attribution easy. Rarity ratings and condition census data are also a plus.

8. The Cent Book 1816 – 1839

This is my middle date reference of choice, simply because I’m so familiar with it. Like Noyes, every variety is illustrated front and back by large 3 inch photos. Historical information is plentiful and the included quick finder section is simple and easy to use. General condition census info and updated rarity ratings are included.

9. Attribution Guide for United States Large Cents 1840-1857 by John R. Grellman & Jules Riever

Unfortunately, I cannot locate a copy of this book to review it properly. However, every late date collector I know highly recommends it.

10. The Die Varieties of United States Large Cents, 1840-1957

Again, from EAC: “A 400+ page book which greatly improves upon the Newcomb book by the use of high quality line drawings for each variety. Contains much more descriptive data on each variety than found in Newcomb. One full page is devoted to each variety. Attribution of late date large cents has been greatly simplified by the use of this book.”

Hopefully this will help fuel interest in the early copper coinage of the United States. Next week we will discuss some of the important references available to those with a colonial bent. Colonial coinage has been gaining in popularity over the last 3 to 5 years and there are still some very affordable areas in which to concentrate your interest. If you love early American history and want to become a caretaker of these relics of our past, arm yourself with this knowledge. Enjoyment awaits!

Great opportunity awaits the dedicated Buffalo variety collector, and this book is the ultimate guide in that endeavor. One look at the advancing values of the two best known abraded die varieties, the 1937-D 3 leg and the 1936-D 3 1/2 leg Buffalo nickels, and one can see the genuine need for this reference. Taking into account the increasing popularity and Red Book acceptance of these varieties, now is the time to begin your search!

What are abraded die varieties? In Part One of this book Ron Pope defines traditional and non-traditional abraded die varieties, explains how these varieties were produced, and devotes a full page to the description of each known date and mintmark for which that variety occurs. These varieties include the 3 and 3 1/2 leg, 2 feathers, and no F (missing designer’s initial). Descriptions include large photos, and a breakdown of the relative rarity, level of collector interest, and up to date values.

Part Two is a fascinating study of every known variety of the 1914 4 over 3 overdate. Huge photos serve to illustrate the diagnostics of each die. Ron’s observations on each of the 8 known dies along with the representation of clear die markers overlayed on to the photos makes this section the best reference to this overdate I’ve seen.

Part Three is essential to understanding the unique strike characteristics of the Buffalo nickel series. Excellent illustrations of weak, typical, good, and full strikes serve to educate the novice or seasoned collector. Here you will learn the difference between wear and a weak strike. The characteristics of Proof dies are illustrated as well. The strike studies of each individual date and mimtmark are dealt with in Part Four, an invaluable guide to your future purchases.

In sum, Buffalo Nickels – The Abraded Die Varieties is a veritable gold mine for the Buffalo nickel cherrypicker. One look through this well written reference and it will be apparent how much Mr. Pope has widened the field of Buffalo nickel collecting.

Back in 2004 I was living in Venice, Florida on the Gulf coast just south of Sarasota. My job as a department supervisor was turning out to be more lucrative than expected and so my coin collecting interests were enjoying a nice upswing. I had recently purchased a copy of David Lange’s “The Complete Guide to Buffalo Nickels“. Armed with the knowledge I gained from this book I began a short set of Buffalo nickels from 1934 to 1938 in MS64-65 paying particular attention to the strike quality of each individual coin.

During my quest to complete this set I was frequenting a popular online coin collector forum which allowed me to correspond with other collectors of like mind on a regular basis. This was long before my first attempt at a formal blog, but even then I liked to write informative articles on my numismatic interests. I would often post a picture of a coin from my collection and then write about its characteristics, rarity, history, etc. At this particular time I was combining the new information I had gained from Lange with my own observations to write a series on Buffalo nickels. Some of the other forum members offered to contribute and it was at this point that I met Ron Pope.

Now those of you who aren’t familiar with Ron probably don’t understand why I was so overwhelmed by his willingness to help with my little project. Ron had been studying and collecting the Buffalo nickel series for some 40 years when I first unknowingly contacted him under his forum name. To date he has published three books on the subject: “The Authoritative Reference on Buffalo Nickels” with Kevin Flynn and John Wexler, “Treasure Hunting Buffalo Nickels” with Kevin Flynn and John Wexler, and his newest book, “Buffalo Nickels-The Abraded Die Varieties“. Add to this Ron’s extensive contributions to the “Cherrypicker’s Guide” series and you can see why I was flattered.

Unfortunately Mother Nature intervened that summer and three hurricanes one after another hit Charlotte Harbor, just 7 miles south of my home. The aftermath required me to relocate twice, open a new store in Punta Gorda, and generally abort my articles.

Fast forward to last week and, happily, I managed to reconnect with Ron. We caught up a little and Ron also generously sent me a copy of his new book. A full review will be forthcoming but I can tell you now that this book is a cherrypicker’s dream. You won’t believe the sheer amount of information contained in this book. So until then I’ll let you in on a secret: If you would like a copy, here’s Ron’s email address-

coin.quest@yahoo.com

The price is right and Ron will be happy to get a copy out to you fast. Be on the lookout for my review!

You’ve probably noticed over the last year that I am very partial to the books of Q. David Bowers. As a matter of fact you’re probably sick of hearing me talk about him and his incredibly vast knowledge of American coinage. If you have been to my Resources page, you’ve no doubt also noticed that he is represented very heavily across many denominations and topics. So if you haven’t figured it out yet, he’s just that good!

Rewind to a few days ago. I find myself at the local Barnes & Noble and there it is, the new Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins by, you guessed it, Q. David Bowers. Now I won’t even pretend that I have a bank account that could support my building an incredible collection of U.S. colonials. But I can enjoy the diversity and history of these coins with this book.

In true Bowers style, you not only come away with an education on the different coin series’ that drove the commerce of the infant U.S. nation, but he also differentiates between all the different die varieties of each series, citing all the classic references from the respective experts in each field. From the New England coinage  of 1652 through the Congress authorized coinage of the 1780′s, every series is described in detail.

As usual, simple coin descriptions aren’t enough for a Bowers reference. The economy of the time period, the processes used to strike these coins, the methods of distribution, and different ways to collect are all chapter topics. He also deals with contemporary counterfeits, the many foreign series’ that are included in the colonial section of the Red Book, and the extensive Washington portrait coinage of the 1795 to 1820′s period.

Now check out the Colonial section of my Resources page again. You’ll notice it’s pretty short. I’m not saying you can forego all the classic references for this book, but this should be the starting place for your future research. If you don’t find it here, you’ll find it in the Bibliography at the back of the book. Happy reading!