What would you do to improve the "Redbook"?

OnlyBuffalos

What would you do to improve the "Redbook" that would not add significantly to its cost?

- Better photgraphs?

- Add grades that better reflect the marketplace? For example adding MS69 and PR69 to Modern Commemoratives.

- Include a beginners' guide to coin collecting and advice on how to collect?

- Publish more than once a year?

ddbird

Add prices for more known errors/VAMS/varietys

goose3

for 10.00 I don't think it really needs any improvements. It's a decent little book packed full of good stuff. Start adding to it and the price would start to go up.

I would like to have one of the Large Editions like Rick Snow posted that he received a copy of.


The Spiral bound version was the best Improvement that Redbook has ever made.

airplanenut

Put a picture of mine in it. Actually, I was able to get Ken Bressett to send my picture to Whitman, but they didn't have room

MrEureka

I don't know that I'd change the Redbook, but I'd consider offering an expanded version with much more historical text. The biggest advantage would be that it could be used in the classroom.

FatMan

I would put it online, updating the prices. Also expand all the information and include digital color pics as it would no longer be limited by size. Charge an annual subscription.

flaminio

<< <i>Add prices for more known errors/VAMS/varietys >>

Actually, I was going to suggest to back off on the varieties. The Red Book is never going to approach the level of detail of a dedicated series book. But, if a variety is canonized by the Red Book, it becomes much more collectible. The Red Book shouldn't play games like that. A major and famous error like the 1955/55 cent is OK, but getting into more obscure errors, VAMs, Overton varieties, etc. should be quite beyond the scope of the Red Book.

earlycoins

I'd correct the photograph of the 1796 16 star half dollar by making it
a 1796 16 star half dollar, and not a 1796 (15 star) quarter -- enlarged to
half dollar size.

Prices representative of grades above MS63 for earlier dates would also
be a nice addition.

Generally, the book has come a long way over the years, all to the positive.

EC

LincolnCentMan

What would you do to improve the "Redbook"?

Make the prices accurate and updated every week. Ok, no one said it had to be possible....

David

SilverDollarMan

<< <i>I don't know that I'd change the Redbook, but I'd consider offering an expanded version with much more historical text. The biggest advantage would be that it could be used in the classroom. >>



That would b real nice!

btw Does anyone know when the 2006 will be available?
Thx

lordmarcovan

<< <i>What would you do to improve the "Redbook" that would not add significantly to its cost? >>





<< <i>- Better photgraphs? >>

This would add significantly to its cost, I'd imagine.



<< <i>- Add grades that better reflect the marketplace? For example adding MS69 and PR69 to Modern Commemoratives. >>

Not a bad idea.



<< <i>- Include a beginners' guide to coin collecting and advice on how to collect? >>

There's already a good bit of that in there.



<< <i>- Publish more than once a year? >>

Again, this would add significantly to its cost, but if the volumes were sold separately, maybe they'd make it back. Maybe a quarterly thing?

I gotta say, the Redbook has improved significantly in the last few years. They've added (slightly) better pics, in color, there's a brief section on patterns, now, and so on. (But the small sections on Hard Times Tokens and CWT's seem to have vanished, unless I've overlooked them.) The Redbook is a very useful tool to me, even if it isn't up-to-the-minute timely. I like the spiral bound format, too. I give 'em credit for a lot of progress so far. I'm sure they'll continue to tweak it as time goes on.

Bochiman

Add a wider spectrum of grades and prices.
As mentioned, MS69, PR69 prices for moderns, but also, show more of the VF-EF-AU-lower MS for more issues as well as MS63-MS64-MS65-MS66 for items like Morgans that those are common grades in.
Right now, they do too much "one grade fits all" (for many of them....kind of split by time/era)

ConstellatioCollector

Add higher grade listing to teh Colonial Coin section!

richbeat

"btw Does anyone know when the 2006 will be available?"


July.

BigGreek

Since the book is mostly used by newbies I would add that section
for beginners you mention. The section should include information on
eBay, avoiding counterfeits, grading companies, coin forums and
other resources.

DennisH

I'd start with expanded descriptions of the various grades, and show pictures of the various grades.

Then I'd increase the point size of the type they print with.

Then I'd be more consistent with which grade prices are given... every series except moderns should have columns for at least Fine, VF, XF, AU, MS60 and MS63.

Publish proof prices at the end of each series and list prices for at least PR60, PR62, PR63, PR64, PR65.

The page count of the book would go up, of course, which means they'd have to raise the price a buck or two to cover the added cost, but I think it would be well worth it.

nwcs

Have an online counterpart so that people can go and see/learn more online using the book as a launching point. Similar to Consumer Reports.

TommyType

Here's a minor "upgrade" that would be interesting to me: Add a section, (updated yearly, of course), with the record 5 or 10 prices paid for each coin type. It's interesting, tough to find, and even when you do you don't know how outdated it might be.

Shamika

<< <i> I don't know that I'd change the Redbook, but I'd consider offering an expanded version with much more historical text. >>


I agree with this idea. Any changes made to the current Red Book would only increase the size and cost. Offering an expanded version would allow all aspiring numismatists a choice.

jamesfsm

Add so-called dollars that correlate with the US Commemorative series.

kranky

Like Andy and shamika said, have two versions - basic and deluxe. A lot of people like it the way it is, and a lot of others want it to be expanded. Since the expanded fans probably won't choke if the price goes up a few bucks, everyone can win. The basic version can stay the way it is which is relatively inexpensive (why mess with success?).

What they should put in the expanded version is:
- A few pages about the "year in review", including auction highlights
- Comprehensive list of reference books
- Diagnostics for well-known counterfeits/altered coins
- Prices for more grades

I'd pay more for a book like that.

Shamika

Kranky,

Outstanding suggestions! I would certainly be willing to lay down more money that included this information.

anoldgoat

Correct mintages. I mainly use it for mintages, how can they still be so far off on the 1996 proof set. Makes me wonder where else they are off.

koynekwest

List many more of the SIGNIFICANT doubled dies. A listing in the Red Book can make or break these coins.

Cam40

first, they need a better proofreader.
too many mis-prints,if only a few but still, there shouldnt be any
inacurrate information,mainly mintage numbers.

lastly, create a second annual volume just for pics and history?

airplanenut

Howdy all! I sent this thread over to Ken Bressett... heck, why not let the big cheese see what you all have to say He said that he enjoyed all of the suggestions, and will be doing what's feasible each year to make the book better

Jeremy

solid

Does anyone know how many copies are currently sold each year?

I like the ideas of the basic and deluxe/extended editions, as well as
a first-class web-site with even more data and high-quality images.

It would take a sizeable investment to do it right, but with their
brandname and a reasonable annual subscription price, they could
get a lot of members. It would be especially useful if they could get
agreements to link to other sites for population figures, auction
sale prices, etc.

They could have package deals - one price would get you access
to the best comprehensive and regularly updated online encyclopedia
of US Coins, and an annual Red Book.

Ken

clackamas

A think a small section on conterfiets would be a good addition also a "*" next to heavily counterfieted coins to reference the counterfiet section would be a good additon.