Guide Book of United States Commemorative Coins- 2nd edition

What It Covers The book chronicles U.S. commemorative coins issued from 1892 (starting with the Columbian half dollar) to the present (as of its publication). It goes beyond mere listings — it describes how commemorative coin programs are born (legislative/concept stage), designed (artists, committees), minted (Proof vs business strike vs assay coins), how they’re distributed, and what makes certain issues more collectible. Collecting advice is included: how to evaluate quality (strike, eye appeal), how certification / population reports affect value, how to spot fair market pricing, etc. New appendices in this edition feature extra content: interview(s) with a designer from the Artistic Infusion Program, designs that were proposed but never struck, more full-color images. Specifications Spec Detail Edition 2nd Edition Author Q. David Bowers Pages 304 pages Size / Binding Softcover / trade paperback; 6 × 9 inches ISBN-10 / SKU ISBN-10: 0794844197 Publication Date November 1, 2016 Full Color Yes — color photographs have been used throughout. Why It’s Valuable to Collectors Serves as a one-volume library for U.S. commemorative coin programs: combining history, technical specs, and market data. Useful for both casual and serious collectors. Helps you understand the back-story: design proposals, legislative history, artist involvement, which adds depth and often helps with provenance / story behind coins. Good for evaluating condition/quality; being a smart buyer — knowing what makes certain issues more desirable (rarity, proof vs business strikes, condition, etc.). Because it shows designs that weren’t produced, it makes clear what “could have been” — interesting from both historical and collecting/numismatic-art angles.