Review by Choice Review
Three British Museum numismatists and a cartographer have collaborated to produce this well-researched introduction to the coinage of nearly 200 countries. Its 1,800 illustrations include clear photographs (to scale) of the coins; an extensive number of original maps (a primary feature); and a rich assortment of architecture or landscapes related by their captions to the text. These illustrations, about half in color, aid in depicting the birth, evolution, setting, or manufacture of coins and some primitive monies dating back 2,500 years. Although less lavish in its production, this work is similar in historic and geographic scope to Coins: An Illustrated Survey, 650 BC to the Present Day, ed. by M.J. Price (CH, Nov'81). However, the continent-country-chronological arrangement of Coin Atlas is unique and offers several advantages to convey an understanding of the historical, cultural, and especially geographical relationships between coins of different nations. Coverage ranges from one to ten pages for each country. Though advanced collectors and scholars will resort to more specialized works, this overview provides a useful and original perspective on the topic. For most public library and undergraduate collections. -S. P. Hodge, Ball State University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Written by coin curators at the British Museum, this atlas traces the almost 3000-year history and evolution of coinage in 200 modern nations. Selected coins from each country are described, along with significant political or commercial events which influenced the direction of that nation's currency. Neither an in-depth monetary history nor a catalog of every coin struck, this book's value is in providing a comprehensive overview and documenting the coinage histories of smaller nations, which are often difficult to locate. Excellent graphics and color coin photography augment the text. The atlas should appeal to general readers and collectors and is suitable for reference in academic and public libraries.-- David Van de Streek, Pennsylvania State Univ. Lib., York (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by School Library Journal Review
A survey of the history and geography of the countries of the world, as illustrated by their coinage. The authors link coins to political and economic factors and show the evolution of coinage as nations mature. YAs will find this an excellent information source for research papers; particularly useful are the illustrations, and the organization is excellent. A superior text on numismatics. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
