Chester L. Krause

Chester L. Krause (1923-2016) was an American numismatist and publisher who founded Krause Publications, becoming one of the most influential figures in numismatic publishing during the 20th century. In 1952, he launched Numismatic News, which grew into one of the leading periodicals for coin collectors. His company went on to publish the Standard Catalog of World Coins and Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, which became essential reference works for collectors and dealers worldwide. Krause served in World War II as a B-24 mechanic in the U.S. Army Air Corps before returning to his hometown of Iola, Wisconsin, where he established his publishing empire. His contributions to numismatics earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the ANA Numismatic Hall of Fame and the ICTA Numismatic Hall of Fame. Beyond publishing, Krause was known for his extensive personal collection of Wisconsin obsolete currency and his commitment to numismatic education. His company expanded to cover other collectible fields, including old cars, antiques, and sports cards, before being sold in 1990.

Limited reader reviews exist online for Chester L. Krause's publications, since his work focused on reference catalogs rather than narrative books. What readers liked: - Collectors praise the thoroughness of his Standard Catalog series - Numismatic News readers comment on its consistent reliability for market prices - Catalog users appreciate the clear photo illustrations and pricing details What readers disliked: - Some note outdated valuations in older catalog editions - A few collectors mention the catalogs' bulk and weight make them cumbersome - Occasionally cited as expensive for regular updates Ratings/Reviews: Amazon shows an average 4.3/5 stars across various editions of the Standard Catalog series, based on approximately 120 total reviews. Goodreads lacks sufficient data for meaningful ratings. Numismatic forums and collector sites contain mostly brief mentions rather than detailed reviews. One collector wrote on Amazon: "The Standard Catalog remains the go-to reference despite its flaws. Nothing else comes close to its scope."

Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Modern Issues (1961-Present) A comprehensive reference guide listing banknotes from countries worldwide, with detailed information on dates, variants, and market values.

Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000 A reference work cataloging twentieth century coins from around the world, including mintage figures, metal content, and values in multiple grades.

Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money A detailed catalog of U.S. paper currency from colonial times to present, featuring type descriptions, serial number data, and pricing information.

Wisconsin Military History A chronicle of Wisconsin's military contributions and veteran experiences from the Civil War through World War II.

R.S. Yeoman wrote extensively about coin collecting and numismatics, producing reference guides used by collectors worldwide. His Standard Catalog series served as foundational texts for coin valuation and identification.

Q. David Bowers authored over 50 books on coin collecting and American numismatic history. His work combines market analysis with historical research on U.S. coins and paper money.

David L. Ganz focuses on the legal and investment aspects of coin collecting through his books and columns. He served as president of the American Numismatic Association and writes about rare coin markets.

Kenneth Bressett created multiple editions of the Guide Book of United States Coins (Red Book). His publications explain grading standards and authentication methods for collectors.

Robert W. Julian specializes in U.S. Mint history and early American coinage through archival research. His books document mint operations and coin production processes from primary sources.