2009 Red Book v.s. 2009 Blue Book

78750Aggie

I’m new to collecting and I purchased a Guide Book of United Stated Coins (Red Book) in 2007 and received as a gift the 2009 Red Book. I reference this book quite often and refer to the coin mintages and pricing as I decide on the next purchase.

While browsing the bookstore on Saturday I ran across the Guide Book of United Stated Coins (Blue Book) and it looks exactly the same as the Red book except for the pricing. Both books have the same author, same editor, same year (different edition), and same look except for color. All is the same until I reviewed the coin values, lots of difference and in some cases not even close.

How are the two different books used? Please help enlighten (teach) this confused learner another numismatic lesson.

Thanks,

78750Aggie

Halfhunter06

The red book give you the retail value of your coins, the bluebook are for prices dealers would PAY for your coins

mcheath

I wouldn't use either one as a price guide, but the red book is a great source to learn from.

Dentuck

Aggie, here are some articles about the Blue Book from The Whitman Review:

Selling Your Coins Can Be Fun and Profitable: Learn How in the New Edition of the OFFICIAL BLUE BOOK®

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IS YOUR COIN DEALER MAKING YOU A FAIR OFFER?

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"Am I Blue?" The Handbook of United States Coins Tells How Much Your Coins Are Worth

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The Handbook of United States Coins