THE CORE NUMISMATIC LIBRARY OF DR. DANIEL LEONCE KOPPERSMITH:
KEY WORKS ON ARCHAIC & CLASSICAL GREEK COINS AND KINDRED TOPICS

On March 20, 2008 George Frederick Kolbe/Fine Numismatic Books will sell at auction the core numismatic library of Dr. Dan Koppersmith. Beyond the dazzling array of standard references and often rare specialized die-studies in the library, perhaps the most remarkable thing about it is the uniformly superb condition of the contents. The library is perhaps best described by the collector, who writes in the introduction to the sale:

“My library has been carefully and thoughtfully assembled over the past fifteen years. In my opinion, it contains all the important references for Archaic and Classical Greek Coins, including every Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum produced to recent date. Condition is generally exceptional, as worn copies have been replaced. (more…)

A Lexington author strikes gold - or, perhaps more fitting, coins - in his new book.

Michael Moran, author of “Striking Change: The Great Artistic Collaboration of Theodore Roosevelt and Augustus Saint-Gaudens,” explores the bond between the 26th U.S. president and the world-renowned sculptor.

“Striking Change” delves into the lives of these two influential figures through first-person accounts and confidential conversations, exploring the dramatic personalities involved.

In 1905 President Roosevelt challenged Saint-Gaudens to create coinage for the United States that would be as beautiful as the coins the ancient Greeks used, according to the Web site of Whitman Publishing (www.whitmanbooks.com), which published the book. “Striking Change” examines the partnership that was formed by Saint-Gaudens and Roosevelt to redesign the country’s numismatic, or coin-based, art, according to the Web site. (more…)

(Colorado Springs, Colorado) — A rare, 490-year old original copy of the first illustrated, printed numismatic book, Illustrium Imagines (”Images of the Illustrious”), has been donated to the American Numismatic Association by well-known collector, sports agent and real estate developer, Dwight N. Manley, of Newport Beach, California. The book was printed in 1517 in Rome, Italy, and contains 204 ornate woodcut illustrations from ancient Roman coins and medallions.

Manley purchased it for $8,050 in the November 1, 2007, rare book auction conducted by George Frederick Kolbe of Crestline, California. In the catalog, Kolbe described the book as “… of unparalleled importance, being only the second numismatic book ever published, and the first printed book substantially illustrating coins and medals … A handsome publication, truly one of the greatest landmarks in the history of numismatic literature.”

“This generous gift is unquestionably one of the most treasured volumes in any numismatic library collection,” said ANA Acting Executive Director Ken Hallenbeck. “This becomes the oldest numismatic book in the world’s largest numismatic lending library. It is a terrific addition to the ANA’s Dwight N. Manley Library.”

In 2003, the ANA Library was named in honor of Manley when he gratefully donated $250,000 to the Association as way of saying “thank you” for the $400 scholarship he received as a teenager in 1980 to attend an ANA Summer Seminar session. (more…)

Available in January 2008 from Zyrus Press, Investment Strategies for U.S. Gold Coins, by Jeff Ambio, offers advice on how to successfully and profitably invest in United States gold coins.

Ambio is a well-known numismatic expert and auction cataloger. His professional career spans the nation’s top auction houses: Heritage Auction Galleries, Superior Galleries, Bowers & Merena. Recently, Ambio served as Vice President of Numismatics at Rare Coin Wholesalers. As one of the industry’s most highly trained numismatic scholars, Ambio brings first-hand experience and expertise together to offer exclusive insider tips for the collector and investor - What do I look for? Which coin should I buy next? Is the coin available on the market? How much can I expect to pay? And how do I make the most of my investment?

This book covers regular-issue gold series from 1795 through 1933 and informs the reader on a number of investing strategies, including collecting by type, variety, or rarer issues. The book includes over 150 high-resolution gold coin images, graphs, and vital pricing data. Each chapter begins with a brief history of a gold type, then goes on to describe various tactics or “game plans” to help the investor build his or her collection. (more…)

Auction Sale 104: On November 1, 2007 George Frederick Kolbe/Fine Numismatic Books will conduct their 104th auction of rare and out of print numismatic literature, a remarkably important sale featuring works from the John J. Pittman Library and an extensive selection of classic numismatic reference works covering the numismatic spectrum. Printed catalogues will be available in early October and can be ordered by sending $15.00 to Kolbe at P. O. Drawer 3100, Crestline, CA 92325. The 1105 lot catalogue is also accessible free of charge at the firm’s web site (www.numislit.com). (more…)