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Book Review

Reference books are the lifeblood of numismatics. A collector simply can’t function properly without certain basic works plus others in various specialties as interest either broadens or narrows.

A book that would be welcome on any numismatic bookshelf is “World Coin Encyclopedia” by Ewald Junge (Morrow: $19.95), consisting of a wide range of information on coins and coin makers. The reference work should prove useful to specialists and generalists alike, and a casual perusal shows that you can look up everything from abacis (a silver coin formerly in use in the Portuguese possessions of India and East Africa) to zolotye (a generic name for any gold coin in Russia since the 16th Century.)

As coin books go, this one seems to be in the money. In fact, money is one of the words defined. So, for that matter, is coin , in addition to there being a wealth of other information.

Don Alpert cannot answer mail personally but will respond to numismatic questions of general interest in this column. Do not telephone. Write to Your Coins, You section, The Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.