Читать книгу A Guide Book of United States Coins 2021 - R.S. Yeoman - Страница 5
ОглавлениеHOW TO USE THIS BOOK
Coin values shown in this book are retail prices figured from data from the listed contributors approximately two months prior to publication. The coin market is so active in some categories that values can easily change during that period. Values are shown as a guide and are not intended to serve as a price list for any dealer’s stock. A dash appearing in a price column indicates that coins in that grade exist even though there are no current sales or auction records for them. The dash does not necessarily mean that such coins are exceedingly rare. Italicized prices indicate unsettled or speculative values. A number of listings of rare coins lack prices or dashes in certain grades, indicating that they are not available or not believed to exist in those grades.
Prices rise when (1) the economic trend is inflationary and speculators turn to tangible assets as a hedge, or when the number of collectors increases, while coin supplies remain stationary or decrease through attrition or melting; (2) dealers replace their stocks of coins only from collectors or other dealers, who expect a profit over what they originally paid; (3) speculators attempt to influence the market through selective buying; or (4) bullion (gold and silver) prices rise.
Prices decline when (1) changes in collecting habits or economic conditions alter demand for certain coins; (2) speculators sell in large quantities; (3) hoards or large holdings are suddenly released and cannot be quickly absorbed by the normal market; or (4) bullion (gold and silver) prices decline.
Those who edit, contribute to, and publish this book advocate the collecting of coins for pleasure and educational benefits. A secondary consideration is that of investment, the profits from which are usually realized over the long term based on careful purchases.
The Handbook of United States Coins (commonly called the Blue Book), by R.S. Yeoman, Whitman Publishing, contains average prices dealers will pay for these coins, and is obtainable through most coin dealers, hobby shops, bookstores, and the Internet.
ABBREVIATIONS COMMONLY USED IN THIS BOOK
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| Arr | Arrows |
| Cl | Close |
| CN | Copper-Nickel |
| Dbl | Doubled |
| Dbln | Doubloon |
| Drap | Drapery |
| Dt | Date |
| FR | Flat Rim |
| HE | Heraldic Eagle |
| Horiz | Horizontal |
| HR | High Relief |
| Inv | Inverted |
| Knbd | Knobbed |
| LE | Lettered Edge |
| Lg | Large |
| Lib | Liberty |
| Ltrs | Letters |
| Med | Medium |
| Mmk | Mintmark |
| Nml | Normal |
| Obv | Obverse |
| Pf | Proof |
| Rev | Reverse |
| SE | Small Eagle |
| Sm | Small |
| Sq | Square |
| T | Type |
| V, Var | Variety |
| WR | Wire Rim |
A slash between words or letters represents an overdate or overmintmark: “3/2” is an abbreviation of “3 Over 2,” “D/S” is “D Over S,” etc.
Photographs in This Book
Collectors should be aware that unofficial copies of certain American issues were made after 1850 to provide facsimiles of rarer issues that would otherwise have been unobtainable. Many crude imitations have also been made in recent years, as well as forgeries intended to deceive collectors. Photos herein, however, are of genuine specimens, except for certain modern issues, which may be U.S. Mint renderings.
