Numismatic Reference Guides

This is a comprehensive list of numismatic reference guides and articles compiled by Brandon Kelley and the members of the Collector's Universe (PCGS) forums.

Link to the original thread where this list was compiled and is continually updated.

Colonial Coins

• Early Coins of America by Sylvester Crosby

• Redbook - Current (2007)

• Walter Breen - Breen Encyclopedia

In addition, some of the significant auction catalogs are as informative or more so than the references:

• The 1979 - 1980 Garrett collection catalogs by Bowers (three volumes)

• The 1983 Roper Collection catalog by Stack's - arguably the finest and most complete colonial type set ever assembled.

• The 1987 - 1988 Norweb collection catalogs by Bowers (three volumes), and 2006 Norweb Washingtonia volume by Stack's

• The 1996 Eliasberg collection catalog by Bowers volume 1 (a limited offering, but many high grade pieces)

• The 2003 - 2007 Ford Collection catalogs by Stack's

Liberty Cap Half Cents - Head Left (1793)

• Ron Manley - Half Cent Die States (1997?)

• Walter Breen - Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents (1984)

• Roger Cohen - American Half Cents (1982)

Liberty Cap Half Cents - Head Right (1794-1797)

• Ron Manley - Half Cent Die States (1997?)

• Walter Breen - Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents (1984)

• Roger Cohen - American Half Cents (1982)

Draped Bust Half Cents (1800-1808)

• Ron Manley - Half Cent Die States (1997?)

• Walter Breen - Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents (1984)

• Roger Cohen - American Half Cents (1982)

Classic Head Half Cents (1809-1836)

• Ron Manley - Half Cent Die States (1997?)

• Walter Breen - Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents (1984)

• Roger Cohen - American Half Cents (1982)

Braided Hair Half Cents (1840-1857)

• Ron Manley - Half Cent Die States (1997?)

• Walter Breen - Encyclopedia of United States Half Cents (1984)

• Roger Cohen - American Half Cents (1982)

Flowing Hair Large Cents , Chain Reverse (1793)

• 1) PENNY WHIMSY, by Sheldon.

• 2) UNITED STATES LARGE CENTS 1793-1814, by Noyes.

• "Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents 1793-1814" by Walter Breen and Del Bland. (2000)

Flowing Hair Large Cents , Wreath Reverse (1793)

• 1) PENNY WHIMSY, by Sheldon.

• 2) UNITED STATES LARGE CENTS 1793-1814, by Noyes.

• "Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents 1793-1814" by Walter Breen and Del Bland. (2000)

Liberty Cap Large Cents (1793-1796)

• 1) PENNY WHIMSY, by Sheldon.

• 2) UNITED STATES LARGE CENTS 1793-1814, by Noyes.

• "Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents 1793-1814" by Walter Breen and Del Bland. (2000)

Draped Bust Large Cents (1796-1807)

• 1) PENNY WHIMSY, by Sheldon.

• 2) UNITED STATES LARGE CENTS 1793-1814, by Noyes.

• "Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents 1793-1814" by Walter Breen and Del Bland. (2000)

Classic Head Large Cents (1808-1814)

• UNITED STATES LARGE CENTS 1793-1814, by Noyes.

• "Walter Breen's Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents 1793-1814" by Walter Breen and Del Bland. (2000)

Matron Head Large Cents (1816-1839)

• 1) UNITED STATES COPPER CENTS, 1816-1857, by Newcomb.

• 2) UNITED STATES LARGE CENTS 1816-1839, by Noyes.

• 3) THE CENT BOOK, by Wright.

Braided Hair Large Cents (1839-1857)

• 1) UNITED STATES COPPER CENTS, 1816-1857, by Newcomb.

• "The Die Varieties of United States Large Cents 1840-1857" by John R. Grellman, Jr. (2001)

Flying Eagle Small Cents (1856-1858)

• -Richard Snow - A Guide Book of Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents (2006)

• -Q. David Bowers - Enthustiuast's Guide to Flying Eagle and Indian Cent (1996)

• -Richard Snow - Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Attribution Guide 1856-1858 (2003)

Indian Head Small Cents (1859-1909)

• -A Guide Book of Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents By Richard Snow (2006)

• -Q. David Bowers - Enthustiuast's Guide to Flying Eagle and Indian Cents (1996)

• -Richard Snow - Flying Eagle and Indian Cent Attribution Guide 1856-1858 (2003)

Lincoln Small Cents - Wheat (1909-1958)

• The Lincoln Cent Doubled Die, John Wexler, 1984

• The Authoritative Reference on Lincoln Cents, John Wexler and Kevin Flynn, 1996

• The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents, David W. Lange, 2005

• The RPM Book: Second Edition, Lincoln Cents, James Wiles, 1997

• The Standard Guide to the Lincoln Cent, Dr. Sol Taylor, Fourth Edition, 1999

• Looking Through Lincoln Cents, Charles D. Daughtrey, Second Edition, 2005

• A Detailed Analysis of Lincoln Cent Varieties, Volume 1, Billy G. Crawford, 2004(?)

Lincoln Small Cents - Memorial (1959-Date)

• The Lincoln Cent Doubled Die, John Wexler, 1984

• The Authoritative Reference on Lincoln Cents, John Wexler and Kevin Flynn, 1996

• The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents, David W. Lange, 2005

• The RPM Book: Second Edition, Lincoln Cents, James Wiles, 1997

• The Standard Guide to the Lincoln Cent, Dr. Sol Taylor, Fourth Edition, 1999

• Looking Through Lincoln Cents, Charles D. Daughtrey, Second Edition, 2005

• A Detailed Analysis of Lincoln Cent Varieties, Volume 1, Billy G. Crawford, 2004(?)

Two Cents

• -Getting Your Two Cents Worth, Kevin Flynn

• -The Two Cent Piece and Varieties, Myron Kliman

Silver Three Cents (1851-1873)

• -Kevin Flynn is working on one, as of now there is no book on this series. (DAMN!) Sounds like a good opportunity for research.

Nickel Three Cents (1865-1889)

• -The Authoritative Reference on Three Cent Nickels, Kevin Flynn & Edward Fletcher

Flowing Hair Half Dimes (1794-1795)

• #1  "Federal Half Dimes 1792-1837" by Russell J. Logan and John W. McCloskey

• #2  "The United States Half Dimes" by D.W. Valentine

Draped Bust Half Dimes (1796-1805)

• #1 = "Federal Half Dimes 1792-1837" by Russell J. Logan and John W. McCloskey

• #2 = "The United States Half Dimes" by D.W. Valentine

Capped Bust Half Dimes (1829-1837)

• #1 = "Federal Half Dimes 1792-1837" by Russell J. Logan and John W. McCloskey

• #2 = "The United States Half Dimes" by D.W. Valentine

• Seated Liberty Half Dimes (1837-1873)

• #1 = "The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dimes" by Al Blythe

• #2 = "The United States Half Dimes" by D.W. Valentine

Shield Five Cents (Nickels) (1866-1883)

• The Complete Guide to Shield and Liberty Head Nickels by Peters, Gloria and Mohon, Cynthia

• -The Shield Five Cent Series, Edward Fletcher

Liberty Head Five Cents (Nickels) (1883-1913)

• The Complete Guide to Shield and Liberty Head Nickels by Peters, Gloria and Mohon, Cynthia

• Treasure Hunting Liberty Head Nickels by Kevin Flynn

Indian Head (or Buffalo) Five Cents (Nickels) (1913-1938)

• -David Lange's The Complete Guide to Buffalo Nickels.

• -1999-"Treasure Hunting Buffalo Nickels" by John Wexler, Kevin Flynn, and Ron Pope

• -Buffalo Nickels-The Abraded Die Varieties has an invaluable section on strike characteristics of each date/mm

Jefferson Head Five Cents (Nickels) (1938-Date)

• The Best of the Jefferson Nickel Doubled Die Varieties, Second Edition, John A. Wexler.

• The Jefferson Nickel Analyst - Bernard A. Nagengast

Draped Bust Ten Cents (Dimes) (1796-1807)

• -Davis, David J., Logan, Russell J., Lovejoy, Allen F., McCloskey, John W.,

• Subjack, William J., Early United States Dimes 1796-1837

Capped Bust Ten Cents (Dimes) (1809-1837)

• -Davis, David J., Logan, Russell J., Lovejoy, Allen F., McCloskey, John W.,

• Subjack, William J., Early United States Dimes 1796-1837

Seated Liberty Ten Cents (Dimes) (1837-1891)

• -Ahwash, Kamal, The Encyclopedia of United States Liberty Seated Dimes 1837-1891

• -Greer, Brian, The Complete Guide to Seated Liberty Dimes

• -Fortin, Gerry, The Definitive Resource for Liberty Seated Dime Variety Collectors

Barber Ten Cents (Dimes) (1892-1916)

• -The Authoriatative Reference on Barber Dimes, Kevin Flynn

• -The Complete Guide to Barber Dimes, David Lawrence

"Mercury Head" Ten Cents (Dimes) (1916-1945)

• -The Complete Guide to Mercury Dimes, David Lange

Roosevelt Head Ten Cents (Dimes) (1946-Date)

• The Authoritative Reference on Roosevelt Dimes- Flynn '01

Twenty Cents

• -No Book on This Series (DAMN!) Another Good Opportunity for Research.

Draped Bust Quarter Dollars (1796-1807)

• "The Early Quarter Dollars of the United States 1796-1838" by A.W. Browning

• Capped Bust Quarter Dollars (1815-1837)

• "The Early Quarter Dollars of the United States 1796-1838" by A.W. Browning

Seated Liberty Quarter Dollars (1838-1891)

• -The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of U.S. Liberty Seated Quarters, Larry Briggs

Barber Quarter Dollars (1892-1916)

• -The Complete Guide to Barber Quarters, David Lawrence

• Standing Liberty Quarter Dollars (1916-1930)

• -Standing Liberty Quarters, J.H. Cline

• -Standing Liberty Quarters: Varieties and Errors, Robert Knauss

Washington Head Quarter Dollars (1932-Date)

• A Guide Book of Washington and Statehood Quarters by Bowers

• The Best of the Washington quarter Doubled Dies- Wexler, Flynn'99

• The Complete Guide to Washington quarters- Feigenbaum '94

• -David Lawrence Also Wrote one but can't figure out the title.

50 States Quarters™

• A Guide Book of Washington and Statehood Quarters by Bowers

Flowing Hair Half Dollars (1794-1795)

• -Early Half Dollar Die Varieties, Al Overton

Draped Bust Half Dollars (1796-1807)

• -Early Half Dollar Die Varieties, Al Overton

Capped Bust Half Dollars (1807-1839)

• -Early Half Dollar Die Varieties, Al Overton

Seated Liberty Half Dollars (1839-1891)

• -The Complete Guide to Liberty Seated Half Dollars, Randy Wiley and Bill Bugert

Barber Half Dollars (1892-1915)

• -The Complete Guide to Barber Halves, David Lawrence

Walking Liberty Half Dollars (1916-1947)

• -Walking Liberty Half Dollar by Dean F. Howe 1989

• -The Complete Guide To Walking Liberty Half Dollars by Bruce Fox 1993

• -THE Walking Liberty Half Dollar by Anthony Swiatek 1983

• -Treasure Hunting Walking Liberty Half Dollars by Kevin Flynn and Brian Raines 2001

Set of 7 CDN Monthly Supplement Back Issues covering Walking Liberty Half Dollars

• -Walking Liberty Half Dollars- an in-depth look Nov. 1977

• -The Walking Liberty Half Dollar Series-Part I Mar. 1983

• -The Walking Liberty Half Dollar Series-Part II Apr. 1983

• -Walking Liberty Half Dollars And Their Bid Movements Over the Last 35 Years Jun. 1987

• -Early Walkers: Today's Precious Gems Sep. 1993

• -Key Date Walkers: The Classics Apr. 1994

• -Generic & Gem A Look at the Walker Pop Profile Sep. 1994

Franklin Head Half Dollars (1948-1963)

Kennedy Head Half Dollars (1964-Date)

• -"The Kennedy Half Dollar Book" by James Wiles.

Flowing Hair One Dollar (Silver) (1794-1795)

• -Reiver, Jules, The United States Early Silver Dollars 1794 to 1803

• Q David Bowers - Enclycopedia of United States Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars (2v, 1993)

• -The Flowing Hair Dollars of 1794, Martin Logies

Draped Bust One Dollar (Silver) (1795-1804)

• -Reiver, Jules, The United States Early Silver Dollars 1794 to 1803

• Q David Bowers - Enclycopedia of United States Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars (2v, 1993)

Seated Liberty One Dollar (Silver) (1836-1873)

• Q David Bowers - Enclycopedia of United States Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars (2v, 1993)

• -The Liberty Seated Dollar 1840-1873, Weimar White

Trade One Dollar (Silver) (1873-1885)

• Q David Bowers - Enclycopedia of United States Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars (2v, 1993)

Morgan One Dollar (Silver) (1878-1921)

• Q David Bowers - Enclycopedia of United States Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars (2v, 1993)

• -The Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of U.S. Morgan and Peace Dollars, Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis

Peace One Dollar (Silver) (1921-1964)

• Q David Bowers - Enclycopedia of United States Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars (2v, 1993)

Eisenhower Head One Dollar (1971-1978)

• The Authoritative Reference on Eisenhower Dollars- Wexler, Crawford, Flynn '98

Susan B. Anthony One Dollar (1979-1999)

• -Full Talon SBAs, May 2006 issue of NUMISMATIST

Sacagawea One Dollar (2000-Date)

Liberty Head One Dollar Gold (1849-1854)

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume I Gold Dollars 1849-1889 (1976)

Indian Princess One Dollar Gold (1854-1889)

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume I Gold Dollars 1849-1889 (1976)

Turban Head $2-1/2 Gold (1796-1807)

• John Dannreuther - Early US Gold Die Varieties (2006)

• For early eagles: Anthony Taraska - ??? (1998?)

Capped Bust $2-1/2 Gold (1808-1834)

• John Dannreuther - Early US Gold Die Varieties (2006)

• For early eagles: Anthony Taraska - ??? (1998?)

Classic Head $2-1/2 Gold (1834-1839)

• Classic Head Gold 1834-1839 By Neil Berman and Silvano DiGenova Superior Galleries of Beverly Hills Classic Head Gold Ebay Guide

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume II Quarter Eagles 1796-1929 (1976)

Liberty Head $2-1/2 Gold (1840-1907)

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume II Quarter Eagles 1796-1929 (1976)

Indian Head $2-1/2 Gold (1908-1929)

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume II Quarter Eagles 1796-1929 (1976)

$3 Gold (1854-1889)

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume III Three Dollar Gold 1854-1889 and Four Dollar Gold Pieces 1879-1880. (1976)

$4 Gold (1879-1880)

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume III Three Dollar Gold 1854-1889 and Four Dollar Gold Pieces 1879-1880. (1976)

Turban Head $5 Gold (1795-1807)

• John Dannreuther - Early US Gold Die Varieties (2006)

• For early eagles: Anthony Taraska - ??? (1998?)

Capped Bust $5 Gold (1807-1834)

• John Dannreuther - Early US Gold Die Varieties (2006)

• For early eagles: Anthony Taraska - ??? (1998?)

Classic Head $5 Gold (1834-1838)

• John McCloskey - Article in 1989 COAC conference

Liberty Head - No Motto $5 Gold (1839-1866)

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume IV Half Eagles 1795-1929 (1976)

Liberty Head - With Motto $5 Gold (1866-1908)

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume IV Half Eagles 1795-1929 (1976)

Indian Head $5 Gold (1908-1929)

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume IV Half Eagles 1795-1929 (1976)

Turban Head $10 Gold (1795-1804)

• John Dannreuther - Early US Gold Die Varieties (2006)

• For early eagles: Anthony Taraska - ??? (1998?)

Liberty Head - No Motto $10 Gold (1838-1866)

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume V Eagles 1795-1933 (1976)

Liberty Head - With Motto $10 Gold (1866-1907)

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume V Eagles 1795-1933 (1976)

Indian Head $10 Gold (1907-1933)

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume V Eagles 1795-1933 (1976)

Liberty Head $20 Gold (1849-1907)

• Handbook of Twentieth Century United States Gold Coins, David W. Akers, Bowers & Merena Galleries July 1988 / 0943161142

• Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins: A Complete History and Price Guide, David W. Akers, Q. David Bowers, Lawrence B. Stack (Editor), August 2004 - 079481784X

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume VI Double Eagles 1849-1933 (1976)

Saint Gaudens $20 Gold (1907-1933)

• Handbook of Twentieth Century United States Gold Coins, David W. Akers, Bowers & Merena Galleries July 1988 / 0943161142

• Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins: A Complete History and Price Guide, David W. Akers, Q. David Bowers, Lawrence B. Stack (Editor), August 2004 - 079481784X

• David W. Akers - United States Gold Coins An Analysis of Auction Records Volume VI Double Eagles 1849-1933 (1976)

Commemorative Coins

• Q David Bowers - Encyclopedia of US Commemortive Coins (1991?)

• Anthony J. Swiatek - Commemorative Coins of the United States Identification and price Guide (2001)

Pioneer Gold

• Don Kagin - Private Gold Coins of the United States (1979, a new reference would be helpful)

Pattern Coins

• -United States Pattern Coins: Complete Source for History, Rarity, and Values By J. Hewitt Judd, M.D.

• -Andrew Pollock - United States Pattern Coins (1994)

• United States Gold Patterns, Akers, David W Hardcover / 1141870541

Error Coins and Varieties

• -Cherrypicker's Guide

• -Margolis & Weinberg - The Error Coin Encyclopedia, 4th ed (2004)

• -Alan Herbert - The Official Price Guides to Error Coins and Variety (2003ish)