Books for Beginners?

kchan1111 · June 06, 2014, 10:19:28 PM

Hi everyone,

What would be a good book for beginning new to collecting? I want some understanding on the many different pre-decimal coins - so many its overwhelming, how to access quality and some basic understanding of valuation. Been looking around this site:

Trading Coins for Wealth eBook
http://www.sterlingcurrency.com.au/items/trading-coins-wealth-ebook

2014 The Laymans Guide To Australian Coin Values
http://www.sterlingcurrency.com.au/items/2014-laymans-guide-australian-coin-values

RENNIKS AUSTRALIAN COIN & BANKNOTE VALUES 25TH EDITION
http://www.sterlingcurrency.com.au/items/renniks-australian-coin-banknote-values-25th-edition

RENNIKS AUSTRALIAN PRE-DECIMAL COIN VARIETIES 2ND EDITION
http://www.sterlingcurrency.com.au/items/renniks-australian-pre-decimal-coin-varieties-2nd-edition

Coin collecting books seems rather hard to get hold of. Not something Dymocks would stock. And Amazon only has American coins.

Thanks very much! :thank_you:

Fordprefect · June 07, 2014, 12:18:09 AM

Renniks Coin Values or
McDonalds
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-2014-McDONALD-AUSTRALIAN-COIN-BANKNOTE-CATALOGUE-21st-EDITION-/390752882373?pt=AU_CoinPublications&hash=item5afaafcec5

at the best price you can find. :angel:

Quite a few collectors buy both, the "Dealers" have for while now
utilised the Greg. McDonald book for base value reference.

kchan1111 · June 07, 2014, 08:35:23 AM

Good stuff thanks FordPerfect.

Robster · June 07, 2014, 08:55:36 AM

The Renniks pre decimal varieties is also a great reference if you think you would enjoy die cracks, laminations. doublings, etc.!! :angel:

robbiegal · June 07, 2014, 10:02:48 AM

dymocks do sell the maccas and I think you can order the rennicks
or the other way around
out son usually gets us them & he works at dymocks

trout · June 07, 2014, 10:07:11 AM

You can also pickup the older editions of MacDonald's and Rennics quite cheaply on eBay.
All the info on the pre decimals will be the same as the newer editions only the values will be different :ok:

kchan1111 · June 07, 2014, 12:24:05 PM

Just bought the MacDonalds from the eBay link... can't wait to get it and find out more.

The two eBooks look more like my level. Although for $20 seems rather pricey especially one is only 59 pages.

Are Renniks and Maccas more of less the same? Anyway.... I will give the Maccas one a go. And try pick up the Rennik predecimal. Looks interesting.

emu666 · June 07, 2014, 02:03:27 PM

Renniks is much easier to follow, particularly for the decimals.

kchan1111 · June 07, 2014, 03:34:40 PM

D'oh! Already ordered the Maccas one. If I can't follow it I will ebay it and get the Rennik one. Thank god for eBay... Might just need both cause I know so little.

Really want to know more about predecimals though. Browsing the pictures online they look exquisite. Saw the Transformer square coins from Perth Mint... just ghastly. :shock:

Fordprefect · June 07, 2014, 04:06:24 PM

Quote from: 'kchan1111' pid='51568' dateline='1402121080'D'oh! Already ordered the Maccas one. If I can't follow it I will ebay it and get the Rennik one. Thank god for eBay... Might just need both cause I know so little.

Really want to know more about predecimals though. Browsing the pictures online they look exquisite. Saw the Transformer square coins from Perth Mint... just ghastly. :shock:

You'll be right with the Macca's for pre-decimal's. :yahoo:

Should you be thinking of Rennicks, an older mid 1970's edition
is a handy reference. (Should be less than $10)
It includes a selection of varieties, tokens and other good stuff ::angel:
Useless of course in the values department.

kchan1111 · June 07, 2014, 06:34:30 PM

thx fordprefect. will definitely keep an eye out for a cheap copy.

kchan1111 · June 12, 2014, 11:01:45 PM

Hey Fordprefect, my copy of Maccas arrived today from eBay. Enjoy browsing and looking. The chapters at the beginning has all the basic information that I was looking for.

Thank you for the recommendation.