NBS Publishing Grant

Call for numismatic authors and volunteers: NBS Publishing Grant Committee

The following publishing grant was approved unanimously at the 2025 NBS board meeting. The NBS will support numismatic authors in two ways: contributing to the printing costs of general numismatic books, and/or acting as the publisher for any book proposals that fall within the mission of supporting and creating interest in numismatic literature as an area of collecting.

The NBS is calling for book proposals in these two categories. They are also calling for volunteers for a committee to evaluate book proposals once submitted. Any interested parties should contact NBS president Leonard Augsburger at president@coinbooks.org.

General numismatic books:

The NBS will support numismatic authors by paying half of the printing bill of approved books for self-published works advancing new numismatic research. Numismatic authors are often self-published, especially those studying niche subjects with a smaller field of collecting, and often have trouble securing traditional publishing and distribution support for their books. They most often only want to break even on their expenses but find the cost of publishing a printed book prohibitive. The NBS is in a position to help bring this research to interested collectors and expand the breadth of numismatic knowledge by distributing new information on more focused topics, thereby increasing the availability of numismatic literature.

This grant would range from $2000–$5000 and be paid directly to the printer at the book’s completion. The author must cover the cost of research, preparing the manuscript for printing and the deposit to the printer, which is usually half of the total print bill. The author is also responsible for securing distribution of the book.

Authors must submit a completed manuscript to a publishing committee formed for the review of the manuscript when the book is ready to be sent to the printer. This committee would consist of three volunteer NBS members in good standing, one of whom should be an officer. These committee members should be familiar with the subject matter of the book and be able to make judgments on the quality of the research, as well as the writing and aesthetics of the book, and be able to suggest edits, if necessary. A cost estimate must also be submitted by the author from the intended printer.

In return, the author will acknowledge the grant from the NBS in the printed book.

Books on numismatic literature:

The NBS will act as the publisher for books that fall within their stated mission of supporting the interest in numismatic literature and bringing new numismatic literature to a wider audience.

This grant would cover the entire cost of publishing approved books dealing primarily with numismatic literature. The cost could range from $5000–$20,000. Authors must submit a completed manuscript to a publication committee formed for the review of the manuscript, either when it is ready to be sent to a layout artist or to the printer. This committee would consist of three volunteer NBS members in good standing, one of whom should be an officer. These committee members should be familiar with the subject matter of the book and be able to make judgments on the quality of the research, as well as the writing and aesthetics of the book, and be able to suggest edits, if necessary. The committee will also collect price estimates on any services needed, such as editorial, layout, printing and distribution, with input from the author.

The NBS will be listed as the publisher and be responsible for the book’s completion and distribution, as well as the collection and distribution of proceeds. The NBS will use the proceeds to cover their own expenses first and distribute any proceeds exceeding their costs to the author.