NEW BOOK: THE WINCHESTER MINT

I recently received a notice that the long promised [since the late 1970s, three of the contributors have died during its long period of gestation] monograph of the Winchester Mint (edited by Martin Biddle) was finally available. While my copy of the work has not arrived, its published table of contents strongly suggests that it will doubtlessly become a standard reference for those interested in the mediaeval English coinage.

The book is published by our friends at Oxford University Press, which along with their 'cousins' Cambridge University Press, have a long history of overcharging foreigners. Especially the Americans, doubtless because we are rich and stupid (many times they are at least half right).

In the US the book will be available from a number of sellers later this month:

Oxford University Press: http://www.oup.com/us/catalog/general/subject/Archaeology/European/?view=usa&ci=9780198131724 Where you can get it for the full retail price of $450.00

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Winchester-Studies-Related-Excavations-1961-71/dp/0198131720/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335880770&sr=8-1 Where it is priced at $414.25

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/winchester-studies-8-the-winchester-mint-martin-biddle/1103621169?ean=9780198131724 The cheapest at $398.16

The latter two offer free shipping, Oxford will charge you for this service. However, if you purchase the book from a British dealer the cost is £100.00 (about $150.00)!

It is available from Spink - email their book department at: books@spink.com

Blackwells: http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk/jsp/id/The_Winchester_Mint/9780198131724

Amazon's British site has the work at £95.00: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Winchester-Studies-Related-Excavations-1961-71/dp/0198131720/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335879975&sr=1-1

I paid, including air post and exchange rate, about $170.00. I will not say from whom, since all of these dealers are reputable.

As I said earlier, from the table of contents this should be a wonderful book for any student or scholar of the British series, but in this case if you live in the US and want to fill the hole in your library - buy British.

Wayne Homren, Editor

	NBS (coinbooks.org) Web