The Metropolitan Coin Club of Atlanta (MCCA) announces the release of Helpful Hints for Enjoying Coin Collecting, Second Edition, a fully updated and expanded guide to the joys and practicalities of numismatics in today’s world.
Authored by renowned numismatist Bill Fivaz, with David Crenshaw as co-author, this 144-page US trade paperback builds on the beloved original—first published in 1999 with a reprint in 2004—that has guided generations of collectors. The second edition brings its timeless advice into 2026, with modern updates on topics such as digital tools, online marketplaces, high-resolution imaging, PVC-free storage, instant submissions, package tracking, and evolving grading standards.
Key features include
- Practical chapters on coin cleaning basics (with a strong emphasis on what not to do), safe storage, shopping the bourse at conventions, buying/selling through mail or auctions, mailing tips, and grading hints for popular series, including Indian cents, Lincoln cents, Buffalo nickels, Mercury dimes, Morgan dollars, and more.
- A brand-new chapter, “Understanding AU-58 and the Nuances of Coin Grading,” compiles and updates several influential articles by Fivaz on why top-end About Uncirculated (AU-58) coins often represent exceptional value and eye appeal.
- Expanded sections on the modern US minting process, numismatic terms, recommended reading (categorized by topic and series), specialty clubs (with web and social media contacts), 10 rules of thumb, and a fun 25-question coin quiz.
- A warm, mentor-like tone drawn from decades of club meetings, conversations, and real-world experience—perfect for beginners and veterans alike.
In the spirit of community support, 100% of the net profits from sales are being donated to the Metropolitan Coin Club of Atlanta, helping fund educational programs, young numismatist initiatives, meetings, and club activities.
To further encourage new collectors, MCCA is providing a complimentary copy of the book to each new member who joins (one per household). MCCA encourages other coin clubs nationwide to adopt similar programs—offering this accessible, updated resource to newcomers as a welcome gift that fosters education, safe practices, and long-term enjoyment of the hobby.
“Coin collecting remains one of the most welcoming hobbies on earth,” says Fivaz in the book’s introduction. “This updated edition helps new people get started on the right foot, avoid expensive mistakes, and fall in love with the hobby the same way we all did.”
David Crenshaw added in the preface: “My goal was to keep Bill’s warm, over-the-table-at-the-club-meeting tone while making sure every piece of advice is accurate and useful in 2026 and beyond.”
Priced at $19.95, the book is available for purchase through the Lulu.com Bookstore (the primary direct source), as well as major retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Resellers can acquire copies via Ingram. The second edition of Helpful Hints for Enjoying Coin Collecting is published by the Metropolitan Coin Club of Atlanta, Inc., with editing and layout design by Peyton Smith and cover design by Lianna Spurrier.
For more information about the book, membership, or the Metropolitan Coin Club of Atlanta, visit www.mccatl.org. Join the club, grab your copy, and discover (or rediscover) why coin collecting continues to inspire curiosity, learning, and community across generations.