- Penny Whimsy
by W.H. Sheldon, 1958
Long the “bible” of early copper collectors, this book is an update of a 1949 work by Sheldon, Early American Cents. Varieties are well described and placed in an emission sequence that has been significantly updated since the book was published. Varieties are illustrated by photographs, but they are of uneven and often mediocre quality. Though much of the information about the coins is badly out of date, Sheldon’s musings on related topics still make an interesting read. This is the book that popularized the notion of a “condition census” or listing of the finest known examples of a variety. It also introduced the 1-70 “quantitative” grading scale that has been greatly expanded upon and misused by dealers in recent years. Long out of print, this book has been republished and reprinted several times, often with updates. All of these editions are readily available from numismatic literature dealers.
Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia of Early US Cents 1793-1814
by W. Breen, 2000
Bowers and Merena Galleries, Wolfeboro, NH.
Decades in development, this large (857 pages, plus plates), posthumously published tome, edited by Mark Borckardt, contains very extensive condition census data compiled by Del Bland. Each variety is illustrated by large, usually good quality, black and white photos. There is an updated emission sequence, and this book, like Breen’s half cent book, gives a wealth of information about the history of early large cent collecting, errors, methods of manufacture, etc. Out of print, the book is usually available from numismatic literature dealers.
The CENT Book 1816-1839
by J. Wright, 1992
Privately published.
This 400-page book, written by a middle-date specialist, is the authoritative book on the series. Illustrated with large black and white photos of each variety, it gives die state and rarity information. It also includes a six-page update and errata list to keep it current. Available from: John Wright,thejohn@sbcglobal.net.
The Die Varieties of United States Large Cents 1840-1857
by J.R. Grellman, 2001
M&G Publications.
At 464 pages with over 100 photographs, this is the authoritative reference on late date large cents. Available from: Bob Grellman, jrgrellman@gmail.com.
United States Large Cents 1793-1814
by W.C. Noyes, 1991
United States Large Cents 1816-1839
by W.C. Noyes, 1991
Litho Technical Services, Bloomington, MN.
These companion volumes with unnumbered pages illustrate the varieties of early- and middle-date large cents with large, reasonably clear, black and white photos. Information is provided on major die states, and the books give Noyes’ condition census of the best few examples of each of the varieties (in his opinion at the time the books were written). Available as a set from: Charles Davis, numislit@aol.com.
United States Large Cents 1793-1794
by W.C. Noyes, 2006
United States Large Cents 1795-1797
by W.C. Noyes, 2007
Digital Dynamics, Ann Arbor, MI
These two books present photographs in color of Noyes’ condition census-level coins that he has photographed. Pricier than the other titles and quite restricted as to coverage, so primarily aimed at serious students of the earliest dates, they are nevertheless a great source for color images of these varieties. Available from: Charles Davis,numislit@aol.com.
United States Large Cents, 1816-1845, Volume 5
by W.C. Noyes, 2013
United States Large Cents, 1846-1857, Volume 6
by W.C. Noyes, 2013
Provenance Gallery of the Year 1794 United States Large Cents
by J.A. Boka, 2005
Falcon Books, San Ramon, CA
This 138-page book illustrates a significant example of each Sheldon variety of 1794 large cent with color photos and the provenance of the coin since its discovery by numismatists. It also presents biographic information about the owners of significant coins and the early history of the Mint. It is available from: Al Boka, eac406@aol.com,www.1794LargeCents.com.
The Aristocrat: The story of the 1793 Sheldon 15
by J. Neiswinter, 2013
Privately published.
This interesting volume tells the story of a single very rare variety of 1793 Liberty Cap large cent. It contains an excellent history of what has been known about the variety since 1869, large color photos of the obverse and reverse of each known specimen, a listing of auction appearances of all examples since1880, and a lot of information and anecdotes about collectors who have owned examples.
Available from the author: j_neiswinter@hotmail.com