Description
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Scope & Purpose: This book helps collectors build a type coin set — meaning one example of each coin design type rather than every date + mintmark. It covers over 250 distinct U.S. coin types, from the very early half disme of the 1790s through modern American Innovation dollars.
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New Content (vs earlier editions): The 3rd edition adds ~32 extra pages over the 2nd edition; it includes full-color photo updates, new historical value charts, and now includes a section on Philippine coins struck by the U.S. (1903–1945).
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What You Get:
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Coin specifications for many types (weight, metal/composition, diameter, design changes).
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Values in multiple grades, helping you compare what a Type Coin might cost in a lower, mid, or higher condition.
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Grading advice and “smart buyer” tips — how to evaluate condition (strike, surfaces, wear), what to watch out for, etc.
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Hundreds of full-color images to help visual ID of design types, useful for recognizing design differences.
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Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pages | 320 full-color pages. |
| Size / Format | Softcover / trade paperback, 6 × 9 inches. |
| Author / Editor | Q. David Bowers. |
| ISBN-10 | 079484636X. |
| Publication Date | 2019. |
Why Collectors Value It
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It offers a focused way to collect: instead of chasing every date + mintmark, you can aim for types — good both for beginners who want manageable collections, and advanced collectors interested in visual or historical variety.
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Type coins often emphasize design evolution, metal composition changes, and mint marks — seeing everything side by side helps build an eye for differences.
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Helps with pricing expectations: you can see what a “type set” might cost in different conditions, and what premiums exist on better strikes or rare types.
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Including the Philippine-US issues expands the traditional U.S. narrative, offering more depth.
