2004 Red book is it a good thing to have?

MSD61

Is having a red book a good thing? Should I get one or a maybe better publication?

XpipedreamR

If you don't have a Redbook, you should definitely get one. It's a standard coin resource, and has a lot of good information.

kranky

I did a poll a couple months ago and 89% of the voters said it was either an absolute must, or a good idea to have. Link to thread.

lordmarcovan

I'm with the ones that say it's a must-have, or nearly so.

You can get more up-to-date or specialized pricing elsewhere, but the Redbook is very handy to have around. I like the spiral-bound ones and wish they made the ANA gradebook that way, so it would lay flat.

coppercoins

It is a good reference to have, and even as a specialist I pull it out at least once a month. It is not quite so necessary to have the most recent one, I'd say if you can find one from the past 3 to 5 years at a discount get it instead. The info barely changes and the values in it are unrealistic anyway, even in the newest one.

SDCollector

It's an essential resource for my type set. Excellent pics and good descriptions. The prices give me a general idea of what to look for. It only costs around $10 (I think), so I buy the spiral edition every year.

nwcs

It's good to have one, but don't buy one every year.

MSD61

Thanks

prooflike

A red book is a must have, not necessarily for the pricing, but for the info.

baccaruda

I like the Red Book and it's pricing makes more sense in todays coin market than it did 5 years ago - although I don't really use it for pricing.

LAWMAN

YES, for newbies and for experienced collectors both. There's a lot of information in there.

Or, do like I do-- get one for each year and fill a whole shelf in your numismatic library with the little fellers-- then you can do year by year comparisons like the numismatic historians do.

aem4162

i think i always have my redbook open...it's a really cool book to have

kamehameha00

It's an absolute must for a coin collector.My 2003 version is already falling apart from the many times I've used it.

joecool

It's goo to have.......

Kriek

Morgan Redbook

mgoodm3

Yes. nice book to have.

lava

Well, I guess I will be the dissenter in the bunch. I had one long ago, and I decided I didn't need another. I would rather have a pcgs population report. I have prepared my own little reference folder that has everything in it, from pop numbers to prices, to third party analysis on rarity, to my own notes on rarity, as well as a complete chart of every coin I own, every condition, and every purchase price. All of this information tells me whether I need a coin, whether it is worth it to me to upgrade, etc. I don't think a red book could add anything.

ealandg

Hmmm. Yes, a red book is good to have. The pricing is very unreliable, especially as you near the end of the year...

Dennis88

<< <i>It's an absolute must for a coin collector.My 2003 version is already falling apart from the many times I've used it. >>



I've got the same problem....

Dennis

BTW definately a must have!!!

roadrunner

I'm with Lava on this one. I have one, but update it only every 5-8 years when I make a "mercy" purchase at a dealer's shop. I find that the Breen Encyclopedia and my other reference books have every possible piece of information. For portability at shows, I take along pop reports, CDN, Blue Sheet, and CW Coin Values. The fact that I look mostly at type coins in the 1810-1916 era doesn't really call for a Red Book.

Roadrunner

BAJJERFAN

Well I don't have one and AFAIK the Morgans have not changed any in the last 10 years except for price. I wouldn't rush right out and buy one but if you can get an older one free or cheap its a nice reference to have.