~ Early Web Links ~

Variety Vista, created by James Wiles Ph.D., is a massive reference database featuring 130,000+ photos documenting over 9,000 coin die varieties including doubled dies, RPMs, and mintmark styles across U.S. coin denominations. The site offers free online e-books covering Lincoln cents, Jefferson nickels, Buffalo nickels, and more, making it an indispensable tool for serious numismatists and cherry-pickers.

Flags of the World (FOTW) is a massive collaborative vexillology encyclopedia cataloging flags from every nation, region, organization, and historical period imaginable. A member of the International Federation of Vexillological Associations since 2001, the site includes a dictionary of vexillology, flag bibliographies, colouring books, and highlights on current flag events worldwide.

PlaidStallions is Brian Heiler's sprawling celebration of 1970s pop culture, focused on vintage toys, action figures, rack toys, and funky polyester fashion from the decade. The site features catalog archives, collector guides, a print magazine called Toy-Ventures, YouTube episodes, and coverage of obscure toy lines like AHI, Mego, and Popy World Heroes.

Coin Talk is an active online forum community dedicated to numismatics, where collectors and enthusiasts discuss coins from ancient times to modern commemoratives, share photography tips, and explore the history behind individual pieces. Topics range from German East Africa wartime coins to Admiral Vernon medals, making it a rich destination for both novice and seasoned coin collectors.

The California Zephyr Virtual Museum is a lovingly crafted tribute to the legendary 'Silver Lady' passenger train, maintained by Alan Radecki and John Wilson, covering its history, equipment rosters, timetables, advertising, postcards, memorabilia, and firsthand passenger and crew reflections. With sections on inaugural and final runs, car tours with photos and plans, and coverage of surviving equipment, this is a remarkably thorough archive for railroad enthusiasts and streamliner fans alike.

Mike Berro's Book Pics is a personal catalog of his science fiction and fantasy book collection, featuring photographs of manuscripts, uncorrected proofs, antiquarian volumes, and unusual editions organized by author. The site is a treasure trove for book collectors, covering rare and signed editions from authors like Neil Gaiman, Jack Vance, Roger Zelazny, and dozens more.

Run by Leonard H. Hartmann since 1965, Philatelic Bibliopole is an online catalog specializing in new and used books about stamp collecting, postal history, forgeries, maritime mail, and related philatelic subjects. With stock sourced from over 100 publishers and a constantly updated inventory of rare out-of-print titles, it serves as a serious reference point for collectors seeking authoritative philatelic literature.

The Railroad Press offers back issues of its railroad magazine, hardcover books, postcards, and merchandise for railfans, with titles covering locomotive rosters, railroad history, maps, and vintage photography. A standout feature is 'A Railroad Life' by Mike Bednar, a richly illustrated hardcover series recounting firsthand stories of railroading life in the 1960s through 1980s.

WildWinds is a massive reference database for ancient coin collectors, covering Roman, Greek, Byzantine, and Celtic numismatics with over 78,000 coins catalogued for attribution and valuation. Maintained by Dane Kurth (Helvetica), it has grown into one of the most reliable online references in the field, drawing over 25,000 visits per day and offering thousands of corrected coin attributions.

DiceCollector.com presents a detailed profile of Gamescience Corp., the legendary dice manufacturer founded by Louis Zocchi, covering the company's full history from its 1965 origins through its iconic precision dice and the award-winning D-Total. Visitors will find a rich account of Gamescience's wargame publications, trademark history, and the engineering behind some of the most collectible polyhedral dice ever produced.