Recently, my 7 year old decided to claim my Red Book for his own and now I am without one. I don't buy them every year because they are basically the same and only pick up a new one every few years (like Madden games). So, I was curious...how often do you re-up your Red Book? For me, I'm probably close to every 5 years (I just bought the 2024...my son appropriated my 2017 edition which was my most recent). I don't feel the information in it needs to be updated that often but it is nice to have a reference for new releases. How about you?
I pick up a new one every year at one of the NWCC coin shows, and then give the prior years copy to the boy.
I used my 1977 copy until I saw a post here on CT four years ago about a large print version which I promptly secured and I figure that one will take me the duration.... For me anyway, the important information in a Redbook never changes.
I've buy every few years or so, but I really rely on the sale of past or current coins for at auction sites.
I don't use the Redbook much anymore. The only time I purchase a new one is when I am at an event and someone important (Bowers, Bressett, etc) is signing them.
I have a complete year set from the first edition. So I buy one every year. It’s a “readers set” not a condition census collection.
Same…2017, but I use mine at least 3 times a week as quick reference; mintages and design features mostly. I can and do use my Ipad also, but the Red Book is within arm’s reach while working in my Coin Laboratory…Spark
I've been collecting for about 50 years and I have 3 Red Books + 1 version for Kindle. I probably had one from the 60's or 70's, but I don't have it anymore (maybe mom has it...hmmm). 1990 (43rd), 2005 (58th), 2022 (75th) and a 2015 (68th) Kindle version. The 2022 will be the last one I buy because I will not be collecting any modern coins past 2022. Plus, it's the Large Print version
When my 2012 Red Book got to be 5 yo I sprung for the 2017. All of my previous Red Books: ‘83, ‘87, ‘90, 2000 and the 2012… were donated to my local Library. I know they are still there, I went and used the ‘90 to do a comparison of previous values on the 1986 Gold (bullion) Commemorative. But now, anyone has access to vital historical information…Spark
I bought one about 3 yrs ago as a gift for a friend (large print) & I liked it so much, that, like Randy, I bought one for me. The large print is great! It will probably last me a long while; my previous one was from 2015.
The only one I ever bought was the 2005. They did so poor a job with clads that I never would buy another. Until then I had used a hand-me-down 1964 edition. I wouldn't mind looking through one again to see if it's of any value.