What Are Some Books About Lincoln Cent Collecting
If you are a Lincoln Cent Collector,
there is good news for you when it comes to available
books. While there are some older books out there, there
are also several books that have come out in the last 10
years. I will touch/review the 3 I think are the best
A Guide Book of Lincoln Cents (The Official Red Book) by
Q. David Bowers
The Official Red Book series, not to be confused by the
“Red Book”, is a great line of books by Whitman. The book for Lincoln Cents
follows in the same tradition as all other “Official Red Book” books. Released
in 2008, the book provides a history of cents in general and then the Lincoln
Cent. This sort of introductory information seems to be an obligatory chapter
or two in every Lincoln book. If you are beginning to collect cents, it is good
and useful information to have. Most advanced collectors probably already are
familiar with this information.
Once you get beyond these chapters, the book gives a page
by page overview of each and every Lincoln Cent ever made. This is where it is
worth the cost of the book. Ever wonder why you cannot find a certain year and
mint in a certain condition? Well, this book will tell you.
The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents by David W. Lange
Released in 2005, The Complete Guide to Lincoln Cents
covers all aspects of the Lincoln cent series with comprehensive listings from
the first Lincoln cent of 1909 through the famous 1995 doubled-die. The author
of the book is David Lange who has written several books regarding coin
collecting. At the time of this writing, Mr. Lange is employed by NGC
Much like the Whitman book, every date and mint is
illustrated, including proof issues. As with every coin book, there is a chapter
or section devoted to the history to the coin featured in the title. There is
much information regarding the production of the Lincoln cent, the engraver and
mint officials who designed it, as well as a biography of Abraham Lincoln.
While not specifically related to actual coins, the book
has letters between Brenner, Barber, Leach (Director) and others and the details
about Brenner and how the Lincoln cent came about. Additionally like any good
about a series, the book contains information regarding error cents, counterfeit
and altered coins, grading, design changes, pattern and experimental coins, etc.
Unlike most books, this is a large book and measures 8.5 x
11, just like a piece of paper. It is also almost an inch thick. You certainly
get your money’s worth in weight. One interesting thing is the book was
published in 2005 yet the book only goes through 1995
Looking Through Lincoln Cents: A Chronology of a Series
by Charles D. Daughtrey
Another book released in 2005, this book is different from
the others. It specifically focuses on varieties for each year. The author is
Charles D. Daughtrey. The title is somewhat misleading as it never mentions
that the book focuses on varieties, but if you are into varieties, this is a
must book.
There are also a few pages dedicated to grading which it
seems all books cover. As is the case (in my opinion) in all coin books that
cover grading, this area is lacking, BUT, I must give the author some credit as
he actually covers a few examples in MS condition. Other books give general
guidelines while this book provides a few examples that you can follow along
with.
To read reviews of these books by others, or to leave a review, please visit my
coin book review site.
Want to discuss the Lincoln Cent? Join the coin forum.
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