Book

Modern World Coins

📖 Overview

Modern World Coins serves as a comprehensive reference guide for coin collectors and numismatists, covering coinage from countries around the globe from 1850 to the present. The book includes detailed specifications, mintage data, and valuations for thousands of coins. The guide contains photographic plates and illustrations to aid in coin identification, along with historical context about various monetary systems and currency reforms. Technical information about metal content, weight standards, and mint marks provides collectors with essential details for authentication and grading. Each country section features chronological listings organized by denomination, with special attention given to commemorative issues and significant design changes. Price estimates reflect market conditions at time of publication, while variety listings help collectors identify key variations. The volume stands as a fundamental resource for understanding the evolution of modern coinage and its reflection of political and economic developments across nations. The systematic documentation of world coins offers insights into changing technologies, artistic styles, and cultural values expressed through currency design.

👀 Reviews

Readers value this reference book for its clear photos and comprehensive listings of 20th century world coins. Reviews frequently mention its usefulness for coin identification and approximate pricing guidance. Liked: - Detailed photos help with quick coin identification - Coverage of most major circulating coins worldwide - Compact size for dealers and collectors - Basic historical context for each country - Consistent organization by region/country Disliked: - Price guides become outdated quickly - Some uncommon variants not included - Photo quality could be sharper in some sections - Limited coverage of commemorative issues - Binding durability issues reported Ratings: Amazon: 4.5/5 (127 reviews) Goodreads: 4.3/5 (42 ratings) LibraryThing: 4.0/5 (15 ratings) "Perfect starter guide for world coin collecting" - Amazon reviewer "Needs more varieties and better photos of key date coins" - Numismatic Forum member "The pricing is just a rough guide but the coin listings are invaluable" - Collector's comment on CoinTalk

📚 Similar books

Standard Catalog of World Coins by Krause Publications Comprehensive reference guide containing valuations, specifications, and historical data for coins from 1901 to 2000.

A Guide Book of United States Coins by Kenneth Bressett Reference book detailing U.S. coin specifications, mintage figures, and market values from colonial times to present.

The Red Book of Chinese Coins by Howard Bowker and David Jen Catalog of Chinese coins spanning from ancient cash coins through modern issues with translations and historical context.

Unusual World Coins by Colin Bruce Reference guide focusing on non-circulating coins, patterns, trial strikes, and unofficial issues from around the globe.

Handbook of Ancient Greek and Roman Coins by Zander H. Klawans Reference work covering the coins of ancient Greece and Rome with historical background and identification guides.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔍 First published in 1964, this reference guide has been regularly updated and serves as one of the primary resources for world coin collectors focusing on 20th century pieces. 💰 The book's pricing information became so valuable to dealers and collectors that it earned the nickname "the Blue Book of world coins" in numismatic circles. 📚 R.S. Yeoman, the author, worked for Whitman Publishing for over 45 years and created several influential coin collecting guides, including the famous "Red Book" (A Guide Book of United States Coins). 🌍 The guide covers coins from over 200 countries and territories, including many nations that no longer exist or have changed names since their coins were minted. 🏦 Many coin dealers worldwide use this book as a standard reference for grading and pricing modern world coins, making it an essential tool for both professional numismatists and hobbyist collectors.