The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 41, October 14, 2007, Article 4

WHY SHOULD A BEGINNING COLLECTOR READ BOOKS?

In preparation for an article on coin book recommendations 
for new collectors, longtime COIN World columnist Col. Bill 
Murray asked me and fellow NBS officers John Adams and P. 
Scott Rubin for thoughts on the subject. I contributed five 
paragraphs, which Bill edited and merged into the final 
article. With permission, I'm publishing my original three 
opening paragraphs here for comment. I think most of our 
readers will agree with the sentiment. I wrote:

Why should a beginning numismatist get some books? They 
are many good reasons, but I think that the best reason for 
adding books to one?s shelf is the same reason for adding 
coins to your collection ? because it?s fun! Many people 
spend a lifetime building a collection without finding the 
need to read books. But if you ask me, they?re missing 
half the fun. Coins are objects ? they are interesting 
and beautiful to see, but alone they?re mute ? they 
cannot speak. 

With books, your coins come to life and will speak to you 
in many ways ? you will never see your coins in the same 
way again. You will know why your coins were created, by 
whom and how. You?ll know about the statesmen who proposed 
them, the artists who crafted them, what the public first 
thought of them and how they used them. You?ll learn about 
some of the great collectors who came before you. Through 
their words they will speak to you as well, imparting their 
knowledge and wisdom across generations. You?ll draw 
connections between your coins, recognizing the puzzle pieces 
and fitting them together to form the larger picture. You?ll 
become far more than ?just? a collector ? you?ll become a 
true numismatist.

There are many rewards awaiting the knowledgeable numismatist. 
When coins speak to you, true value, importance and rarity 
become instantly recognizable. It?s like having a pair of 
magic spectacles ? wear them and suddenly the world becomes 
clear. When others look at coins they will merely see coins. 
With your improved vision you?ll see far more ? a superb 
strike, an unusual variety, a design flaw, an underpriced 
rarity or overlooked gem. Read books, have fun, and prosper. 
You?ll be glad you did.

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization 
promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

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