A Guide Book of United States Coins 1997 [antikvár]

THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK Coin values listed in the Guide Book are retail prices averaged from data supplied by contributors several months before publication. The coin market is so active in some categories that values can easily change during this period. Prices 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 the existence of coins in that grade, vyhose current values cannot be determined. It does not necessarily mean that such coins are excessively rare. Italicized prices indicate unsettled values. A number of listings of rare coins do not have prices or dashes in certain grades. This indicates that they are not available or known in those grades. Prices rise when: 1. The economic trend is inflationary. 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 buy in large quantities. 4. Bullion gold and silver prices rise sharply. Prices decline when: 1. Changes in collecting habits may 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. 4. Bullion gold and silver prices decline sharply. 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 realized over the long term based on intelligent purchases. Those interested in investing in coins should read United States Coin Price Trends by Ken Bressett and Q. David Bowers before any money is spent. The Handbook of United States Coins by R. S. Yeoman, Western Publishing Company, Inc., Racine, WI, containing average prices dealers will pay for these coins, is obtainable at most coin dealers, hobby shops and bookstores. THE SPANISH MILLED DOLLAR The Spanish Milled Dollar valued at 8 reales, otherwise known as the "pillar dollar" or "piece of eight," has been given a place in romantic fiction unequaled by any other coin. This time-honored piece and its fractional parts of 1/2 and 1 real, 2 and 4 reales were the principal coins of the American colonists, and were the forerunners of our own silver dollar and its fractional divisions. The coin shown above bears the li mint mark for Mexico City. Similar pieces TOth other mint marks were struck in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala and Pern. Average value for an 8 reales of common date and mint is about $125.00 m Fme to Very Fine condition. Dates range from 1732 to 1772. Note: Many modem copies of the 8 reales exist. These are produced mostly as souvenirs and have little or no value. [3] m . ¦ ' ' i I r¦ 1 ¦ ; , ; I». . ! I. : r' .-ii-'V .: i i • • ; ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ' ¦, ' ¦ ; il.';