Which Coin Book Should I buy?

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CoinSeeker2017
CoinSeeker2017 Posts: 21 ✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

Hi Folks,
OK, which book is better to get (and why?):

"Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins"
or
"The Official Red Book"

or, is there an ever better book that I did not see?

I'm not sure which one to get.

Happy Holidays!
Thanks!

Which Coin Book Should I buy?

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  • Namvet69
    Namvet69 Posts: 9,423 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Something Else (Please Suggest)

    Uhhh! Ya gotta buy both, Red book large print in spiral is a gift for your eyes. CPG is a 2 volume set. Peace Roy

    BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW

  • BillDugan1959
    BillDugan1959 Posts: 3,821 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 26, 2019 6:50PM
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    You MUST have both.

    Red Book first, Then Cherrypickers second, if you are coin roll hunting/ pocket change scanning.

    The Red Book gives you the big picture, but does not dwell on minutiae. Cherrypickers is the book (two volumes actually) for the detailed minutiae.

    If you have never seen a Red Book, it is the best $16 you will ever spend.

  • PTVETTER
    PTVETTER Posts: 6,134 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    "The Official Red Book"

    Great information, but not too accurate on pricing!

    Pat Vetter,Mercury Dime registry set,1938 Proof set registry,Pat & BJ Coins:724-325-7211


  • Jimnight
    Jimnight Posts: 10,846 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    "The Official Red Book"

    Red Book.

  • winesteven
    winesteven Posts: 5,604 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Something Else (Please Suggest)

    Red Book, but the giant Mega Red version, due to all of the extra detailed information.

    A day without fine wine and working on your coin collection is like a day without sunshine!!!

    My collecting “Pride & Joy” is my PCGS Registry Dansco 7070 Set:
    https://www.pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/design-type-sets/complete-dansco-7070-modified-type-set-1796-date/publishedset/213996
  • BillDugan1959
    BillDugan1959 Posts: 3,821 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 26, 2019 7:24PM
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    @winesteven said:
    Red Book, but the giant Mega Red version, due to all of the extra detailed information.

    The Mega Red Book is a wonderful wonderful book, but it costs almost three times as much - so I would steer a beginner to the standard Red Book.

    If one's finances permit, get both.

  • CoinSeeker2017
    CoinSeeker2017 Posts: 21 ✭
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    Thanks All...SUPER Helpful!!

    So this one?
    "A Guide Book of United States Coins 2020 73rd Edition by Jeff Garrett (Author)" Spiral Edition?

  • CoinSeeker2017
    CoinSeeker2017 Posts: 21 ✭
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    Also...if I got Cherrypickers...what is the oldest I should get (not older than 3-5 years old)?

  • joeykoins
    joeykoins Posts: 18,845 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    "Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins"

    @CoinSeeker2017 said:
    Also...if I got Cherrypickers...what is the oldest I should get (not older than 3-5 years old)?

    It all depends on which coins you are willing to search? Choosing the variety aspect is a wise choice. The Red book also would be smart having on hand as well. Like suggested by most members. ;)

    "Jesus died for you and for me, Thank you,Jesus"!!!

    --- If it should happen I die and leave this world and you want to remember me. Please only remember my opening Sig Line.
  • mannie gray
    mannie gray Posts: 7,259 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    It depends on your preference; if you are a generalist or if you're specializing in varieties.

  • CoinSeeker2017
    CoinSeeker2017 Posts: 21 ✭
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    Thanks. Does the Red Book show error coin varieties i.e. DDO, DDR, RPM, etc?

  • thebeav
    thebeav Posts: 4,116 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    "The Official Red Book"

    @CoinSeeker2017 said:
    Thanks. Does the Red Book show error coin varieties i.e. DDO, DDR, RPM, etc?

    Only the major varieties.......

    My Ebay Coin Store
  • CoinSeeker2017
    CoinSeeker2017 Posts: 21 ✭
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    Great, thank you!!

  • golden
    golden Posts: 10,535 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    "The Official Red Book"

    Red Book.

  • BillDugan1959
    BillDugan1959 Posts: 3,821 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 26, 2019 8:34PM
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    @CoinSeeker2017 said:
    Thanks. Does the Red Book show error coin varieties i.e. DDO, DDR, RPM, etc?

    The Red Book typically DOES NOT show such things, with a few major exceptions.

    There is an informative four page summary on 'Misstrikes and Errors' in Appendix A of the 2020 edition of the standard Red Book.

    If you want to collect those kinds of things for yourself, that is nice. But often buyers offering premiums for them are hard to find.

    I have squawked myself out on this topic. If you are going to collect coins, you MUST obtain a Red Book. It is indispensable.

    Books are indispensable. This stack (three stacks) is about 30 inches high & represents the last seven months of 2019:

  • CoinSeeker2017
    CoinSeeker2017 Posts: 21 ✭
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    Thanks again!!

  • Hemispherical
    Hemispherical Posts: 9,370 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Both books to start collecting.

    When you find an area or coin(s) you want to collect then collect (buy) the resources (books) for them.

    IMO

  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,933 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    "The Official Red Book"

    If you don’t know a fair amount of information that is in “The Red Book,” the Cherry-picker” guide will be much harder to follow.

    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 ... ?
  • Treashunt
    Treashunt Posts: 6,748 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    "The Official Red Book"

    Get the Red Book, and every thing else

    Frank

    BHNC #203

  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    It has been stated above, but I will repeat.... First the Redbook... then the CPG.....both are important resources for collectors - and super important for new collectors. Cheers, RickO

  • CCGGG
    CCGGG Posts: 1,267 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 27, 2019 8:17AM
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    Redbook first but both (and many others) would be better.

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,054 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    "The Official Red Book"

    the red book is a great start

  • TurtleCat
    TurtleCat Posts: 4,692 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    "The Official Red Book"

    I agree with the majority. If you don’t gave the red book, you should start there. Then cherry pickers. Although it seems all the cherry pickers books are out of print. I think the new one is coming out in a few months.

  • JohnnyCache
    JohnnyCache Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    "The Official Red Book"

    Consider something like this along with, or shortly after purchasing the red book.

  • Walkerfan
    Walkerfan Posts: 10,391 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited December 27, 2019 8:18PM
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    Something Else (Please Suggest)

    I never get enough of these two books:

    "A Coin Collector's Survival Manual" by Scott A Travers

    "The Expert's Guide to Collecting and Investing in Rare coins: Secrets of Success" by Q David Bowers.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

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