Books, Books, Books

Collectors widely believe that if you are going to collect coins seriously, you need at least a basic home library of books on the subject. There is no question about the wisdom in that philosophy. Also, selecting appropriate titles that suit anyone’s needs for reference and guidance is not difficult. The problem—if there is one—is how many books are necessary to fill your needs. 

A true numismatist could own but a single coin and a bookcase full of related references. Someone else might have an extensive coin collection with only a book or two and be considered a casual or amateur hobbyist. As contradictory as this seems, some of the most prominent numismatic authors and researchers do not collect coins. 

Dedicated archaeologists, for instance, are rarely collectors. They are particularly sensitive to preserving their finds of ancient coins and artifacts by carefully cataloging whatever they discover. That way, the information can be used to reveal and preserve historical evidence. For ancient coin collectors, their pioneering work is invaluable and essential to appreciating those historical treasures. 

In bygone days, purchasing the required references needed to understand and enjoy coin collecting as a hobby or recreational pastime was fairly easy. The few available books covered basic information on ancient, world, or United States coins and paper money, and few dove deeper than that. Today, it is common to find specialized treatises on every conceivable subject. But, sadly, the cost of producing periodicals with limited appeal has become more expensive than the coins themselves. 

A true numismatist could own but a single coin and a bookcase full of related references.

Lending Services

Fortunately, borrowing from the ANA’s Dwight N. Manley Numismatic Library will offset the high cost of many books today. ANA members can access the world’s most extensive numismatic lending library, which has over 128,000 books, auction catalogs, periodicals, and DVDs online at money.org/library. The ANA Library features resources and materials on subjects including but not limited to coins, paper money, tokens, medals, military orders and decorations, stocks, and bonds that can be mailed to borrowers for just the cost of postage. Members can also contact the Library staff to help locate materials that best suit their needs. Or they can request materials through the online catalog. Research, article searches, and photocopying/scanning services of other Library materials are available for an additional fee. 

Do Your Research

The services, articles, and research facilities of the Numismatic Bibliomania Society and the Newman Numismatic Portal are equally important to those who want to enjoy their hobby to the fullest. To learn more about those organizations, contact them through their websites.

Too Much of a Good Thing?

Truly dedicated bibliophiles often attempt to cover the entire spectrum of books concerning money, barter, and trade items in various forms. They may form a home reference library of many thousands of volumes. Most follow the sage wisdom of renowned numismatic book dealer Aaron Feldman, who coined the now-famous axiom “buy the book before the coin.” He first used this slogan in an advertisement in the March 1966 issue of the ANA’s official publication, The Numismatist.

Can one ever have too many books about their hobby? Probably so if cost is an obstacle, if they don’t have enough shelf space, or if a loved one objects to their habit. If someone wants to collect coins seriously, reading about them is definitely the way to do it. My only problem with reading reference books is that I constantly get distracted by extending my searches to more books!