How to Write a Technical Book on Numismatic Counterfeit Detection: A Journey from Idea to Publication

Ever stared at a coin under a loupe, wondering if it’s real or a clever fake?

That was me five years ago—hooked on the puzzle of numismatic counterfeit detection. I spent weekends comparing die varieties, analyzing metal compositions, and trying to figure out why that “too perfect” 1796 large cent just felt *off*.

Eventually, I realized: nobody had written a technical guide covering this niche in depth. So I decided to write one. Not for fame, but because I wanted a resource *I’d* wish existed when I was starting.

This post walks you through how I turned that fascination into a published book on **numismatic counterfeit detection**, with lessons that apply to any technical topic—from computer vision to metallurgy.

Why Write a Technical Book?

Let’s be honest: writing a book is hard work. But it’s one of the most effective ways to claim space in your field—especially if you’re building authority as a CTO, expert grader, or researcher.

A technical book isn’t just a product. It’s a signal: *I know this subject inside and out.*

The Power of Thought Leadership

After my book on Numismatic Counterfeit Detection came out, something changed. Invitations started rolling in—to speak at coin authentication workshops, consult with grading services, even testify as an expert in a fraud case.

The book became my calling card. It opened doors I hadn’t even knocked on.

Choosing the Right Topic

I didn’t pick numismatic authentication because it was popular. I picked it because:

• It’s full of technical depth—metallurgy, die states, historical context
• Most existing books barely touch on how to *detect* fakes
• There’s real demand from collectors, dealers, and graders who lose sleep over counterfeits

For example, the 1806 half cent has over 30 known die varieties—and fake versions often use real coins as hosts (overstriking). That’s not in most collector guides.

• Pick a topic where you’ve spent years in the details—not just the surface.
• Search Amazon, Google Scholar, and Reddit. If people keep asking the same questions, there’s a gap.
• Look beyond cataloging. Focus on *how* and *why*—like authentication, analysis, replication.

Structuring Your Book: From Concept to Outline

Publishers don’t want vague ideas. They want a clear path from cover to cover.

Here’s how I mapped mine—starting with who it was *for*.

Defining Your Audience

My readers weren’t casual collectors. They were:

• Professional graders
• Dealers handling high-value coins
• Researchers digging into die varieties
• Numismatists with a side of lab equipment

Knowing this shaped everything—from the level of detail to the tools I included.

Creating a Chapter Outline

I broke the book into four parts, each building on the last:

• Foundations of Numismatic Authentication
  • History of counterfeiting: from 18th-century clipping to modern overstrikes
  • Common tricks: casting, plating, re-engraved dies, host coins
• Technical Analysis
  • Die variety matching using magnification and software
  • Metallurgical clues (e.g., why zinc in an 1806 half cent is a red flag)
  • Lab tools: XRF, SEM, and when to use them
• Case Studies
  • The 1796 large cent overstruck on a worn base coin
  • When TPGs like ANACS and PCGS got it wrong—and what we learned
• Tools and Resources
  • Open-source tools for die comparison
  • Recommended labs, databases, and magnification gear

Writing with Code and Visuals

Technical readers want *action*. They don’t just want theory—they want to *do* something.

That’s why I included scripts like this one for die comparison:


import cv2
import numpy as np

# Load two coin images
img1 = cv2.imread('genuine_half_cent.jpg')
img2 = cv2.imread('counterfeit_half_cent.jpg')

# Convert to grayscale
gray1 = cv2.cvtColor(img1, cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY)
gray2 = cv2.cvtColor(img2, cv2.COLOR_BGR2GRAY)

# Compute structural similarity
score, diff = cv2.quality.QualitySSIM_compute(gray1, gray2)
print(f"SSIM Score: {score}") # Lower score = higher likelihood of counterfeit


I also added annotated images—arrows pointing to “mushy” lettering, tool marks, or mismatched fonts. A picture of a fake 1853 half cent with a circled “W” in “WHOL” that didn’t match the die state? Worth a thousand words.

Writing the Book Proposal: The Gateway to Publishers

Think of your proposal as a pitch deck. It’s not just about the book—it’s about *why* it matters.

Components of a Winning Proposal

Here’s what I included—and what got Apress’s attention:

• Book Title and Subtitle – “Mastering Numismatic Counterfeit Detection: A Technical Guide” (clear, specific, searchable)
• Overview – “A hands-on guide for identifying advanced counterfeits using metallurgy, die analysis, and lab tools.”
• Chapter Outline – Detailed, with subsections and key examples

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• Competitive Analysis – Compared to *The Official Guide to Coin Grading*, which focuses on condition, not detection
• Author Bio – Highlighted my years of grading experience, conference talks, and YouTube series
• Marketing Plan – “I’ll speak at ANA, partner with ANACS, and run a free webinar on slab risks”

Choosing the Right Publisher

I aimed for publishers known for serious technical content:

• O’Reilly – Ideal for global reach and deep technical audiences
• Manning – Great if you want early access (MEAP) and interactive content
• Apress – My pick: they loved the niche focus and high-quality visuals

Apress said yes because the book filled a gap. And they were willing to print full-color images—critical when showing die state differences.

Navigating the Writing Process

Setting Realistic Goals

I didn’t write 5,000 words a day. I wrote 500—five days a week.

Used Scrivener to keep it organized. Set weekly check-ins with beta readers: two professional graders, a metals lab tech, and a fellow collector.

One grader flagged a section on plating techniques. “You’re missing the telltale frosting on modern fakes,” he said. Good catch.

Handling Technical Revisions

Early feedback changed the book. For example:

• ANACS updated their slab labels in 2023—so I revised the certification chapter to reflect new security features
• Added a section on “graded slab counterfeits”: fake coins with forged certs, even when the slab looks real
• Clarified that PCGS and ICG, while reliable, have been fooled—sometimes by the same dies, multiple times

Working with Editors

My editor at Apress was a lifesaver. She asked: “Can you explain ‘microstructural dislocations’ to someone without a metallurgy degree?”

So I rewrote it: “Internal metal flaws visible under high magnification.”

Same concept. Clearer. More useful.

Building an Audience Before and After Launch

Pre-Launch: Leverage Your Network

Six months before launch, I:

• Started a private LinkedIn group for coin graders and researchers
• Shared early chapters with experts for feedback
• Posted about a “nuked” eBay listing—where a fake 1811 half cent was flagged by the platform’s AI system

It wasn’t about selling. It was about building trust.

Post-Launch: Thought Leadership

After the book came out, I:

• Spoke at the ANA Summer Seminar on “AI in Numismatic Authentication”
• Wrote blog posts like “How XRF Data Catches Overstruck Coins”
• Partnered with ANACS on a free PDF: “10 Slab Red Flags You’re Probably Missing”

Monetizing Beyond the Book

The book was just the start.

• I launched a course on detecting overstruck coins using image analysis
• Got hired to consult for a grading lab on their authentication pipeline
• A YouTube video on “How to Read an ANACS Cert Number for Counterfeit Risk” hit 50K views—and drove book sales

Conclusion

Writing a technical book on something as specific as **numismatic counterfeit detection** isn’t easy.

But it’s one of the best moves I’ve made.

You’re not just writing a book. You’re building a platform.

Here’s what worked for me:

• Pick a niche with room to grow. Depth beats breadth.
• Structure for clarity. Use code, images, and real cases—not just theory.
• Write a proposal that shows market need. Publishers want to know who will buy it.
• Pick a publisher that gets your audience. O’Reilly, Manning, Apress—they all have different strengths.
• Talk about it early. Build community before the book arrives.
• Keep going after the launch. The book is the seed. You plant it—then grow the rest.

You’ve got knowledge people need. Write it down. Share it. Let it work for you.

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