The E-Sylum:  Volume 9, Number 30, July 23, 2006, Article 5

OPINIONS ON DURST PUBLICATIONS PLATES

Frank Cornish writes "I just love the U.S. Draped Bust design, and
was introduced to it through acquiring two dollar pieces, so I've
been looking at all the denominations and found them rather expensive.
I'm primarily a gold collector, but finally decided to start learning
about cents and half cents, I have Breen's half cent book and noticed
the series of Sheldon's original and follow up Penny Whimsy's. I
recently purchased the Durst 1990 book (new) and I find the plates to
be so dark as to be useless. Is this typical? Or should I send the
book back? Are the other editions better?"

[I recall being at a coin show one time where a prominent numismatic
literature dealer was looking through a stack of recent purchases.
Coming across a Durst reprint, he reached in, ripped out the plates
and tore them to pieces.  Durst reprints are probably fine for books
which are mostly texts, but the advice I've been given over the years
is that numismatists who require usable plates should look for original
editions or reprints from other publishers.  I usually add to my library
just about any book on U.S. numismatics that I don't already have, but I
only have a few Durst publications.  I don't know if the print quality
has improved in recent years, but from your description, perhaps not.
If you love books where you can actually see the coins pictured, the
next article is for you.  -Editor]

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

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