Why the Red Book is the official guide book to

TwoSides2aCoin · February 25, 2008 8:59PM

United States Coins.

That's not what it says on the cover, but isn't that what it is ?
So since they are , it would be prudent to include a section on __________________

TwoSides2aCoin · February 25, 2008 9:11PM

...and would numismatic authors do better if their work were published in "hardbound" edition ?

WaterSport · February 25, 2008 10:08PM

It’s because of the people associated with the data that it has become the go to book. There is a certain quality and accuracy and consistency that has earned its place as the first book people are told to go buy.

The book does come hardbound and in leather, what more do you want. If you’re talking about individuals writing on their expertise, I think those that have published a book will tell you its a heck of a lot of money for a rather small market. In other words, if you write a book about quarters, than it’s mostly the quarter collectors who are going to buy it. When you jump from softbound to hardcover it can require a lot of upfront cash from the author. Plus, you can price the book out of the market niche.

WS

TwoSides2aCoin · February 25, 2008 10:15PM

Thank you WaterSport. I agree with you. I think printing something with a small following in hardbound is not really practical, but I also know that many of these are numismatic treaures and should be in hardbound edition. As to why "publishers" don't back this with the gazillions of dollars spent in this market is beyond me.

Now back to that red book....

If there were something that could be added .... what might anyone suggest ?

So since they are , it would be prudent to include a section on __________________

(I was thinking "counterfeit coins" to fill in the blank)

ricko · February 25, 2008 10:22PM

A section on grading the coins with pictorials (such as appears in some coin magazines) with the major coin categories covered. Cheers, RickO

charley · February 25, 2008 10:29PM

John Gault and Encased Postage Stamps. Respectfully, John Curlis

WaterSport · February 25, 2008 11:27PM

Since this is often the first book in a collectors hands, the ANA photograde pictures would be a nice addition. How many times have you been at a show and here comes a new collector with red book in hand. When dealers see this, they see “sucker”. But I think having “two” resources in hand (price guide and pictures) would enable a few new collectors to challenge grades as well as prices being asked.

I have the entire set and use it a couple of times a year to look at price fluctuations on a given coin. It is amazing how consistent it has been with only recently the addition of added information in the front half. The spiral book was a great modification and helps me keep the hard bound copies in better condition. But they have now pushed to colleting these books with 5-8 special additions each year that it’s pissing me off.

WS

Dentuck · February 26, 2008 1:03AM

In my opinion, the 2009 edition should have

16 more pages than the 2008 edition, without an increase in the retail price

More California and territorial gold than ever before

Expanded information on Hawaiian plantation tokens, Lincoln cents, Native American dollars, the Libertas Americana medal, rare pattern coins, and others

New sections on Puerto Rican coins, American Arts gold medals, the Blue Book, and California souvenir gold

Pricing for Wisconsin "Extra Leaf High" and "Extra Leaf Low" quarters

Detailed coin specifications

The latest U.S. Mint data

Pricing for more than 6,000 individual coins

More than 1,800 full-color photographs

History and values of colonial and early American coins

Continental Currency

Half cents through silver dollars and gold

Commemoratives, bullion, and Proof and Mint sets

Error coins

Varieties

Civil War tokens and Confederate coins

Private and territorial gold

Gold ingot bars

Philippine coins

Essays on grading, investing, authenticity, hoards, sunken treasure, auctions, and more

Updated values, mintages, and auction records

Expanded coverage of commemoratives, sets, and other new coins

New state quarters and Presidential dollars

First Spouses gold bullion coins

24k gold American Buffalo bullion coins

and much more!

Aegis3 · February 26, 2008 8:16AM

Other ideas, Norse America medals of 1925, and if the error section is the same as it has been in the ca 2005 edition, it would need major revisions.

BECOKA · February 26, 2008 8:52AM

I think they should have in depth numismatic history on a different series each year. Maybe a 20 page section. Everything from the minting process and photos of the presses used to how certain varieties appeared. They should do the same thing with counterfeit detection. A different series each year.

The same thing year after year gets pretty old quick.

Why the Red Book is the official guide book to

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