Banknote Book Reviews
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The Art of Money by David Standish (Order from Amazon.com) This 144-page paperback isn't quite large enough or slick enough to qualify as a coffee-table book, but it's replete with hundreds of full-color images of gorgeous banknotes from around the globe. The author provides interesting anecdotes about why certain people, places, animals, and things appear on notes, and devotes chapters to national heroes, nudes, pastimes, crops, birds, and other themes. The main focus is modern world currency, making the section on U.S. notes uneven and weak. Still, this book is a must-have for any banknote fan, and will make non-collectors appreciate world notes as miniature pieces of art rather than deride them as "Monopoly money." |
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Boggs: A Comedy of Values by Lawrence Weschler (Order from Amazon.com) This book follows the twisted tale of the trials of J.S.G. Boggs, an artist who creates fanciful reproductions of world currency--by hand!--and then "spends" his artwork to buy real things. You'll be amazed at the beauty of Boggs' bills, laugh at the reactions he encounters as he tries to convince shop owners to accept his creations in lieu of currency, and cry at the heavy-handed tactics employed by the Secret Service and Bank of England to put a stop to his shenanigans. Along the way you'll learn about the long history of reproducing currency in fine art, and come to question the very nature of "value" as it applies to both art and money. |
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Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: Specialized Issues Volume I, 11th Edition (Order from Amazon.com) More than 50,000 updated prices for more than 17,500 notes are presented along with more than 10,000 photos of faces and backs for easy identification. This 1,200-page softcover provides helpful exchange and translation information. Published in 2009. |
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Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: General Issues Volume II, 12th Edition (Order from Amazon.com) This 1,223-page softcover is the only English language reference for pre-1961 international bank notes containing 25,100+ varieties from 230 note-issuing authorities. Published in 2009, this edition comes with a CD containing a PDF version of the catalog. |
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Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: Modern Issues 1961-Present Volume III, 16th Edition (Order from Amazon.com) This 1,112-page softcover is the default reference for modern world paper money. The 16th edition includes market values for more than 19,000 varieties in two grades of condition, and over 12,000 illustrations. More than 380 note-issuing authorities are covered with notes issued from 1961 to 2009. |
