Product Description

The most active of the world coin market's 20th century coinage offers profitable opportunities for beginning and serious collectors. This book covers covers 20th century pricing and identification.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #22609 in Books
• Published on: 2009-06-26
• Original language: German
• Number of items: 2
• Binding: Paperback
• 2256 pages

About the Author
Colin Bruce II, one of the original creators of the Standard Catalog series, with more than 40 years with Krause Publications, has been significant in the expansion of the series to the renowned resource it's become. Thomas Michael has performed in-depth price analysis for Krause Publications numismatic line for over 21 years. His analysis takes him across the world in an effort to create the most accurate pricing database available.

Customer Reviews

Good as Usual but Don't Rush In Before Reading This
Krause Standard Catalog 1901-2000 is simply the world standard of coin catalogues for the period. Unless your collection is highly specialized within a very small region or you collect coins which Krause does not list as such (such as German notgeld or tokens) this is a catalogue you must have in your private library. 2010 edition includes also CD version so you don't have to carry around this rather bulky volume if you travel with your laptop.
The countries are organized in alphabetical order and within countries coins are listed by denominations with most coins presented in black and white pictures. Every coins is priced in at least three grades (except for parts of the US listing where commemorative coins are apparently worthless below AU grade while other coins are priced in eleven grades) with prices basically reflecting current market trends.
In short - if you collect world coins and you don't have a copy, you simply should stop reading at this point and order one immediately. However, if you do have a fairly recent copy you should think twice before doing anything. The prices in the 37th edition (for 2010) have been seriously updated only here and there. Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (if you collect Eastern Europe, except Poland, you are in for a nice surprise!) were, Germany and France not necessarily while some markets have changed greatly over last few years. You can still find redeemable coins (e.g. Dutch 50 guilders) listed below face value.
Let's then take a look at Poland which has not been seriously updated for a decade. The key issue for post-1990 coins #306 King Sigismundus (still listed at $10 for Unc) will actually cost you at least $200 (unless you know a dealer who can't use ebay). Any 2 zlote commemorative coin from 1995 will cost at least $30 - Krause offers $3,50 for most. Prices of silver coins are a bit closer to reality but only some were actually changed: #314 Lidzbark castle is still listed at $50 while market price is closer to $400.
It is fairly understandable that updating all the prices of the whole catalog is a major task but it seems that the editors are a bit too certain that at least one part of their job is done - that their catalog includes all coins issued within the period. Well, it doesn't... I found at least two omissions. There are four 1 pound coins from Cyprus missing - one from 1999 and three from 2000. Copper 1999 3000 bolivares from Venezuela commemorating the new Mint is missing although silver 6000 bolivares coin issued on the same occasion is included. You will probably find some more missing pieces.
My conclusion - if you have a fairly new edition already (especially the 36th / 2009 one which also has the CD) you can stick to it for a while. The editors simply did not update this issue to such a degree that would justify the costs of your updating your library.
PS Sorry for the five stars - it should be no more than four but amazon.co.uk moved my review from 2009 edition to 2010 edition. As I could not write a new one I edited the old one but it is impossible to change the rating ;)

Reference suitable for serious collectors only
The `Standard Catalog...' series of books are comprehensive in their listing and presentation of world coins/paper money; I can see how these volumes are invaluable to collectors. I am not a collector however and purchased the volumes on paper money simply to admire the artistry put into their creation. I was greatly disappointed (given my purpose) as the paper is of telephone book quality and all coin/note images inside are small, black & white and grany (the only colour printing is on the cover). Even as a reference for collectors, the presentation quality should be much better. For a beautifully illustrated guide to world coinage, I would instead recommend `The World Encyclopedia of Coins and Coin Collecting' by James Mackay.