THE AMERICAN NUMISMATICAL MANUAL

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The One Hundred Greatest Items Of United States Numismatic Literature Rank: Number 70

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Clain-Stefanelli 12280, Davis 313, Sigler 697

One often thinks of the Redbook as the “first” standard guide, but Dickeson is the true eye opener. Here is the “straw man,” the first attempt at a comprehensive overview of American coinage. While the plates look like play money and technical errors abound (for example, the 1797 half dollar is unlisted), Dickeson represents a necessary stepping stone in American numismatic scholarship. An accumulative science by definition evolves, and Dickeson could have done much worse as he drew upon the few written sources along with personal contacts in the nascent numismatic community. The result was the first comprehensive, illustrated view of aboriginal, colonial, federal, pattern, and territorial coinage. While modern guides are far more accurate (and affordable), they do not convey the wonder of birth that one senses in Dickeson. Serendipitously, the next item in our survey – the Mickley cabinet – served as one of Dickeson’s principal resources.

1^st Edition

DICKESON, Montroville Wilson. THE AMERICAN NUMISMATICAL MANUAL OF THE CURRENCY OR MONEY OF THE ABORIGINES AND COLONIAL, STATE, AND UNITED STATES COINS. WITH HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE NOTICES, OF EACH COIN OR SERIES.
Philadelphia: 1859
256pp, 19 tinted lithographic plates
Quarto: 29.5 x 24 cm
Hardbound: Lavender cloth, blind-stamped, lettered in gilt

2^nd Edition

DICKESON, Montroville Wilson. THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC MANUAL OF THE CURRENCY OR MONEY OF THE ABORIGINES, AND COLONIAL, STATE, AND UNITED STATES COINS. WITH HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE NOTICES, OF EACH COIN OR SERIES.
Philadelphia: 1860
271pp, 20 tinted lithographic plates, "Model Safe" plate
Quarto: 29.5 x 24 cm
Hardbound: Brown cloth, blind-stamped, lettered in gilt

3^rd Edition

DICKESON, Montroville Wilson. THE AMERICAN NUMISMATIC MANUAL OF THE CURRENCY OR MONEY OF THE ABORIGINES, AND COLONIAL, STATE, AND UNITED STATES COINS. WITH HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE NOTICES, OF EACH COIN OR SERIES.
Philadelphia: 1865
271pp, 20 tinted lithographic plates
Quarto: 29.5 x 24 cm
Hardbound: Brown cloth, blind-stamped, lettered in gilt