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by Shawn Halversen, 3 Sep 1993
A while back I purchased one of Breen's books. This is the one on colonial and U.S. proofs. I think it is called Breen's Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Proof Coins; cost is about $20 in a 8.5" x 10.5" paperback.
As with all of the books that Breen wrote (or at least the ones I've read) this one is packed with information. He starts with colonial issues that were issued either as a presentation piece or proof. For many of them he includes a photo. For some of the famous proofs he includes pedigrees. All of this is done on a year-by-year basis. If you are interested in early proofs, I would say this book is a "must have". One big drawback to the book is that little is said about the later date proof sets, 1955-date. Breen seems to hold these in contempt since (he feels) that they are mass produced, and lack the character of when proofs were works of art. One interesting later date proof coin he mentions is a 1970-S quarter struck on a 1900 quarter. Obviously, this had some help.
There is a section devoted to fantasy pieces, coins that were not from an official series, such as the 1804 dollar.
One quirk about the book, there are numerous typos in it, most of these are corrected in an appendix. For example, "Page 34, line 34, prof" should read proof. That kind of thing.
Overall, I would say it's a good book, but a little too specialized for my budget. After all, most of the coins he shows, and discusses, are beyond my means, but it was fun to read about them.
Shawn Halversen
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