Series: Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: Modern Issues, 1961-Present
CD-ROM
Publisher: Krause Publications; 15 edition (June 10, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1440203806
ISBN-13: 978-1440203800
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.3 x 7.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #985,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #44 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Coins & Medals > Paper Money
If you collect modern banknotes, you must own the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Volume III: Modern Issues (US$50, Krause Publications, ISBN 0-89689-502-5). The simple fact is that there is no other omnibus catalog that covers post-1960 issues in such detail. Now in its 13th edition, Volume III contains 12,000 illustrations of notes from over 200 issuing authorities, most with valuations in three different conditions. The SCWPM is our collector community's bible, and its "Pick" numbers are the lingua franca used worldwide to identify types and varieties. However, anyone who spends more than a few minutes examining the SCWPM soon discovers its many flaws.Let me begin by stating that I realize it is a gargantuan task trying to ensure the accuracy of so much detailed data on a subject that is sometimes obscured by intentional secrecy. With 1,048 pages, it's inevitable that minor typos creep in and omissions are made. Many errors I had spotted in previous editions have been corrected, yet new ones have cropped up. But the problems I have with the SCWPM are not minor, they are systemic. According to the back cover blurb, editor George Cuhaj compiles input from "more than 80 experts around the world." This alone probably explains many of the catalog's flaws. These unpaid contributors are anonymous, and they bring different levels of dedication to the task of updating their areas of expertise. As a result, the SCWPM is often inconsistent.For example, sometimes a note with a new date or signature combination gets a new type number, other times it warrants only a new variety letter, and other times it's just grouped together with several other dates.
This is the fourth or five edition I've bought over the years and my thoughts echo many of those reviewers that have come before. This is a five star book with a one star execution.This book is the essential guide to bank notes. Period. You have to have it. That essentiality is probably the reason why the book continues to be published, as thousands of professionals have to buy it regardless of how many errors there are. The market can only support one catalogue like this, and this is it.I can only imagine the work that goes into maintaining it. And that's where the problems are. There are just too many errors. Too many signatures referred to in the pricing guide which aren't included in the signature table. Too many new issues that are missing. And the greatest sin of all, in my opinion, is the complete omission of a country. Where is Belize??? How can you omit an entire country???A lot of work had obviously gone into updating some of the valuations, many of which have risen sharply. I started desribing this as a book with a one star execution, which I'll admit is harsh. But, and here is the point the publisher should note, there are so many errors in other areas of the book that the reader must start to wonder whether there are errors in the valuations too? And if the reader's confidence in the valuations starts to erode...I skipped from the 15th edition to the 17th, so this may not be new but I note that the VG valuations have been dumped, which reduces the publishers work by 33% in one decision. No big deal for me operationally, but it doesn't look as if that workload saving has been reinvested in other areas.So I give it three stars overall because the good greatly outweighs the bad, although the bad really irritates.
Standard Catalog of World Paper Money - Modern Issues (DVD) (Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: Modern Issues, 1961-Present) Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: Modern Issues 1961 - Present (Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: Vol.3: Modern Issues) Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: General Issues to 1960 (Standard Catalog of World Paper Money. Vol 2 : General Issues, 8th ed) Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Specialized Issues (Standard Catalog of World Paper Money Vol 1: Specialized Issues) Standard Catalog of World Paper Money General Issues - 1368-1960 (Standard Catlog of World Paper Money 14th Edition: General Issues) Standard Catalog Of World Paper Money General Issues 1368-1960 (Standard Catlog of World Paper Money 13th edition: General Issues) Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, General Issues, 1368-1960 (Standard Catlog of World Paper Money Vol 2: General Issues) Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money (Standard Catalog of U.S. Paper Money) 2013 Standard Catalog of World Coins 2001 to Date (Standard Catalog of World Coins: 2001-Present) Modern African Wars (2): Angola and Mozambique 1961?74: Angola and Mozambique, 1961-74 (Men-at-Arms) Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money (Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money 1928 to Date) Standard Catalog of Modern World Gold Coins, 1801-Present (Standard Catalogs) Standard Catalog of World Paper Money - Specialized Issues 11th Edition. Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, General Issues, 1368-1960 Standard Catalog Of World Paper Money, General Issues, 12 edition Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900 (Standard Catalog of World Coins 19th Century Edition 1801-1900) Standard Catalog of World Coins 1701-1800 (Standard Catalog of World Coins Eighteenth Century, 1701-1800) 2009 Standard Catalog Of World Coins 1901-2000 (Standard Catalog of World Coins) Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money - 1928-Date (Standard Catalog) United States Paper Money Errors: A Comprehensive Catalog & Price Guide (U.S. Paper Money Errors)