Recommended Books

[Jonola (Jon)]

Anyone have a metal detecting related book that they wouldn't be without? Finds identification, coin books, map books, general detecting books? You get my drift. I would like to start a small library of books but don't know what is "Essential reading". I daresay that most novices and even experienced detectorists would like to be pointed in the direction of useful publications.

Jon

[Richy]

Spinks "Coins of England and the United Kingdom" The bible of coin identification and values.

Richy.

[Jonola (Jon)]

Thanks Richy. Thats the first one on my list then. Any other book  names most appreciated.

[trys]

I use coincraft 2000 catalogue of UK and english coins 1066 to date. Don't know how it compares to spinks but does the job for me!

[Richy]

Spink covers coins from 150bc to present date. As I said it's considered the bible of coin recognition.When someone wants a coin identified you often see in the reply a Spink reference number, e.g Edward II 1307-27 Penny, London mint class 11a this is then followed by a detailed description of the coin and is Spink ref 1455.An excellent book! 

Richy.

[DATA311(Alan)]

With the amount of info that is available on the web these days, are books really that  necessary.?

[Charles Cater]

May I remind folks that books such as Spinks etc: are advertising coins for sale and do not represent any sort of refererence to all coins available.

If you need , say,  a Roman Denarius identifying you have to go to specialist books such as that written by Richard Reece. Even just one of his books do not cover all roman coins but is very reliable.

Spinks and the likes are good when it comes to selling, as a photograph is always available.

I found a Roman Denarius of Trajan, it was not in either of the books that had coins for sale but I found it in Richard Reece's book called Roman Cins - Practical handbook for collectors published by Ernest Benn Ltd.

I am not certain that this book can be got now as i have had it for 20 years or more..

[zorro]

jon thanks for posting a good thread, perhaps a list of books for reference purposes is a good idea for this site.
As data311 said there is a wealth of info and forums that will quickly I.D. a coin for you www.ukdfd.co.uk is just one of many where coins can be submitted and I.D'd as well as here ofcourse. the same can be said regarding artifacts to a large degree.
where a list would be useful, i believe, would be for research and general reading.
for example if you have any interest in the roman period i would recommend
Chronicle of the Roman Emperors by Chris Scarre. it documents all the emperors from Augustus (31 BC) to Romulus Augustulus (476AD) giving a page or two to each emperor , some of the eccentricities of the emperors are hard to believe, and also a brief insight in the empire through these times. well illustrated with diagrams, photos and a useful timeline.above all this book is highly readable, no proffessorships needed.
ISBN 0-500-05077-5 check it out
theres mine to the list anyway

[Charles Cater]

Good advice, Kev.

[JohnF]

There is a free to view e-book i use regularly for dating any buckles i find. It can be found on the ukdfd home page, scroll down the homepage and click on the link (bottom left) "Buckles through the ages", then you can alternate between "pictures" and "text". Loads of pics and info.
John.