This is my first book about coins which I got sometime in the late 60's. As a child I didn't like the illustrations, thinking they should show "real" coins (photos) But on re-reading it as an adult I think it is very well done.
A few years later, my aunt gave me my first Red Book. (1970 edition). I don't still have it because I read it so much the pages fell out.
@jmski52 said:
My dad had the 1942 Bluebook and either a 1946 or 1948 Redbook. I liked the Redbook prices better so I updated the library with my own 1964 Redbook.
I believe that if you look at the publishing history, the Red Book is one of the best-selling non-fiction books of all times (number if copies). More than 23 million copies since 1946 (so you made me go look up that fact).
It's not the Holy Bible, but it's a really big seller.
I've run out of shelf space myself! I also have a couple of big boxes full of books as well as others scattered around. Several books(mainly Krause are packed with my show stuff. Probably 3 or 4 stacks floor to ceiling of auction catelogues.
Now wait till the major book collector posts his pics!
@BillDugan1959 said:
I've easily got double this, and I don't consider myself a numismatic bibliophile:
These books have never cost me a dime. They've made me money, and they've saved me money. Information is power.
i have books in every nook and cranny and in all kinds of plastic tubs. At least fifty percent of them are numismatic books. The balance mostly history and biography.
You might be surprised. I regularly find stuff stashed here or there! The only area of my house that doesn't have something in it is the inlaw suite I added to my house so my mother could live here.(and yes I catch grief from my mother all the time about my organizational state! ) I also have over a 1000 square feet of basement that is a total clusterf*ck!
i have books in every nook and cranny and in all kinds of plastic tubs. At least fifty percent of them are numismatic books. The balance mostly history and biography.
1971 Redbook that my dad bought me. Just like @carabonnair, read it until the pages fell out. Then I got a hole punch and put in on rings. I remember the section on the Eisenhower dollar that would be coming out soon, illustrated with 1970-dated galvanos.
1965 Redbook; fresh off the shelves of a Ben Franklin Five & Dime in S. Carolina. Scoured the book to prove the date on Grandpa's "big penny" was in fact dated 1793. Everyone could see the "17", but said I was wrong about the "93". Years later, turns out it was an S-9, Fine+ when it fell to earth, and corroded when it was rediscovered in the early 1920s ..... mine now!!
Mine was a Littleton catalog. It was before I was a real collector though. The first book I bought after becoming a collector was the 2008 Red Book. I bought it on advice from this forum and read it cover to cover in one sitting. I store it next to my bed but have not read through it in a while, been kind of out of the hobby. I have not gotten a new Red Book since, as changes in price mean nothing to me. And I collect more world than US, I like a wide variety of designs more than many copies of the same design with different dates...though I collect them too.
The Red Book 2018 (seventy-first edition) is a far finer book than ten years ago, and has even noticeably improved over the last five years. No comparison and no excuse not to update. It's not even a $15 expenditure.
And don't even get me started on the Mega Red Book, a fantastic tour de force.
Kudos to today's Whitman Publishing LLC for their excellent line of Numismatic books!
My dad gave me his mid-60s Redbook when I showed an interest in coins in the late 70s. Read that thing cover to cover several times before getting a new one with more realistic pricing.
Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
Comments
Mine is a tie. I was given the J.C. Penny "let's collect Coins" kit in 1968. It came with both the 1967 Red Book and The Ruddy Photograde book.
This is my first book about coins which I got sometime in the late 60's. As a child I didn't like the illustrations, thinking they should show "real" coins (photos) But on re-reading it as an adult I think it is very well done.

A few years later, my aunt gave me my first Red Book. (1970 edition). I don't still have it because I read it so much the pages fell out.
Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association
RedBook circa 1965.
The first year had a cover date of 1947.
altho, the copyright date was 1946
BHNC #203
'Lets Collect Coins' 1973
POST NUBILA PHOEBUS / AFTER CLOUDS, SUN
Love for Music / Collector of Dreck
probably a red book, but i don't remember. here is a pic of my current library:
Interesting, of 56 posts, net of 54, since 2 were replies to other posts,
32 Were for the Red Book
11 were for the Blue Book
11 were 'other'
Therefore, the ubiquitous 'Red Book' @ 59% still leads today
The Blue Book often maligned, is still strong @ 20.37%
The balance is 23%.
The Guide Book still leads even after 70 years.
BHNC #203
1972 here and still have mine also!
I believe that if you look at the publishing history, the Red Book is one of the best-selling non-fiction books of all times (number if copies). More than 23 million copies since 1946 (so you made me go look up that fact).
It's not the Holy Bible, but it's a really big seller.
red book in the sixty's
INYNWHWeTrust-TexasNationals,ajaan,blu62vette
coinJP, Outhaul ,illini420,MICHAELDIXON, Fade to Black,epcjimi1,19Lyds,SNMAN,JerseyJoe, bigjpst, DMWJR , lordmarcovan, Weiss,Mfriday4962,UtahCoin,Downtown1974,pitboss,RichieURich,Bullsitter,JDsCoins,toyz4geo,jshaulis, mustanggt, SNMAN, MWallace, ms71, lordmarcovan
I've easily got double this, and I don't consider myself a numismatic bibliophile:
These books have never cost me a dime. They've made me money, and they've saved me money. Information is power.
I've run out of shelf space myself! I also have a couple of big boxes full of books as well as others scattered around. Several books(mainly Krause are packed with my show stuff. Probably 3 or 4 stacks floor to ceiling of auction catelogues.
Now wait till the major book collector posts his pics!

@amwldcoin
You seem to be better organized than me!
i have books in every nook and cranny and in all kinds of plastic tubs. At least fifty percent of them are numismatic books. The balance mostly history and biography.
You might be surprised. I regularly find stuff stashed here or there! The only area of my house that doesn't have something in it is the inlaw suite I added to my house so my mother could live here.(and yes I catch grief from my mother all the time about my organizational state!
) I also have over a 1000 square feet of basement that is a total clusterf*ck!
1971 Redbook that my dad bought me. Just like @carabonnair, read it until the pages fell out. Then I got a hole punch and put in on rings. I remember the section on the Eisenhower dollar that would be coming out soon, illustrated with 1970-dated galvanos.
1965 Redbook; fresh off the shelves of a Ben Franklin Five & Dime in S. Carolina. Scoured the book to prove the date on Grandpa's "big penny" was in fact dated 1793. Everyone could see the "17", but said I was wrong about the "93". Years later, turns out it was an S-9, Fine+ when it fell to earth, and corroded when it was rediscovered in the early 1920s ..... mine now!!
1971 Redbook. In that era, Redbook was the place to start.
Mine was a Littleton catalog. It was before I was a real collector though. The first book I bought after becoming a collector was the 2008 Red Book. I bought it on advice from this forum and read it cover to cover in one sitting. I store it next to my bed but have not read through it in a while, been kind of out of the hobby. I have not gotten a new Red Book since, as changes in price mean nothing to me. And I collect more world than US, I like a wide variety of designs more than many copies of the same design with different dates...though I collect them too.
1976 Redbook. Got it for Christmas in 1975 and I still have it.
The Red Book 2018 (seventy-first edition) is a far finer book than ten years ago, and has even noticeably improved over the last five years. No comparison and no excuse not to update. It's not even a $15 expenditure.
And don't even get me started on the Mega Red Book, a fantastic tour de force.
Kudos to today's Whitman Publishing LLC for their excellent line of Numismatic books!
1957 Red Book, given to me by my paternal grandmother, who was a coin collector. I still have it.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
A damaged Blue Book mixed with some books in a box from a library flea market.
1961 Red Book - published down the street at Western Publishing in Racine, WI.
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
My digital cameo album 1950-64 Cameos - take a look!
1967 Redbook
My Coin Blog
My Toned Lincoln Registry Set
COIN COLLECTING For DUMMIES, by Ron Guth
My dad gave me his mid-60s Redbook when I showed an interest in coins in the late 70s. Read that thing cover to cover several times before getting a new one with more realistic pricing.
I'd say a Red Book, circa 1959. I now have about 70 linear feet of numismatic references .... maybe more ... but who's counting?
Kind regards,
George
Red book
My dad got me a book on world coins when I was just a child and I don't remember the title.
First U.S. book was around 1990 and it was the Red Book.
In 2008 I purchased Jeff Ambio's Walker book on collecting and investing in the series.
Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍
My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):
https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/
I sense a theme here.
The 13th Edition of The Red Book.
A friend's pile driving company uses Mega Reds instead of iron weights....
No idea. Really.
Red Book
Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko
Bad transactions with : nobody to date
Red Book followed closely by a Brown and Dunn grading guide.
Louis Armstrong
'96 or '97 Red Book.
Collector, occasional seller
This book.
Donato
Donato's Complete US Type Set ---- Donato's Dansco 7070 Modified Type Set ---- Donato's Basic U.S. Coin Design Set
Successful transactions: Shrub68 (Jim), MWallace (Mike)
Red Book
ANA-LM, CWTS-LM, NBS, TAMS, ANS
2011 red book