For collecting (of the endless volumes).....the hard bound version. For quick reference and easy research, the spiral bound.
I only have one redbook that, strangely, was found at my place of work. I want to say it is like mid-70s? I know it has the 72DDO in it. It would maybe be nice to own a newer version, but I haven't been able to spend the money.
The cheap one that's not too old. Helpful with lots of information about American coins and the major errors/varieties but since I don't have to know about this years specific coins and since the prices are not that helpful, a few years old doesn't hurt.
Have you ever tried to hold open a particular page of the hardback or Mega Red and type at the same time? I'll take the spiral-bound any day! Chris
I have several old red and blue books. Those were all hardcovers and much thinner lol. I like the spiral bound most. I did a hardcover in 2013 or something and didnt really like it. Spiral bound in 2015 and 2016 which I used forever. Upgraded to the 2019 recently. I carry the current one to and from work, and as a mechanic, it already is a bit tatterted, as I use it a lot. Mostly for mintages and when i start to argue with myself and second guess facts I know to be right. Back in 2016, for some reason I bought the jumbo professional spiral bound. I think I have looked through it maybe twice.
Exactly ! I have a 2014 hard. The first and only one I've ever had. It's difficult to hold open and use a loupe to view a coin at the same time. I use a second book to hold the first book open.lol Because I started with pennies and have studied mostly pennies until recently, several pages have come loose, starting with wheats, through 2 cents, 3 cents, and into the nickels. When I get a new one, it will be the spiral. Is there any purpose to owning the Blue book? Is the information in it so different or so necessary that I should get one?
I have a 1960 Blue Book. It comes in handy when you are buying coins: 1889CC Morgan Dollar - $30.00 UNC 1893S - $175.00 UNC 1877 IHC - $30.00 F Chris
I buy a new Red Book every year. Prior to the Mega Red introduction I bought the spiral bound book. I think the Mega Red is a good buy. Each Mega Red goes through the entire coin denomination from start date to current date. While it may not be as complete as a specialized coin series book, it shares a lot of information from those specialized series books. For example, QDB's Seated Liberty book is $40. The $50 price tag for a Mega Red can be made up from more knowledgeable coin buys. I don't think I have paid full price for one yet. I got the first and second editions for the price of one.
