Best all around coin book?

I'm new at collection and am wondering what you seasoned collectors might suggest as the best all around coin book might be to purchase.

 

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For coin values? or for collecting coins as a hobby?

I like the Red Book as a good book for the novis...

 

Red book and not just for beginner's!

Red book and not just for beginner's! There is a lot of info in there even seasoned coin dealers and collectors don't know.
Remember though the prices are just "a ball park figure" and cannot be counted as being up to date.

 

I agree with the Red Book. It's a valuable source of info on mintage numbers and type. I also like The Experts Guide to Collecting & Investing in Rare Coins. It covers everything from grading to storage and just about everything in between. Then there are a million books specializing in particular series.
Guy~

 

Red Book is certainly a good choice.

Some folks say "Nah. Everything in the Red Book is on Coinfacts.com + PCSG price guides. If you only have one book, it should be the ANA Grading Guidelines."

 

Its red and it's cheap at Books a million.
I saw the 2009 spiral edition out on the discount table for $2.29.
Read it for the info NOT the prices.

 

Red Book all the way. Prices are ball park, but read the first sections of the book. I learned a lot, than read the section about a specific coin before the list of years, mintages and prices.

 

Red Book all the way!

and then:

http://www.whitmanbooks.com/Default.aspx?Page=55&HTMLName=ReviewUpcoming_1208

[small chuckle, snickers.]

 

It's unanimous the red book is the most liked. Appreciate all of your feedback. Any of you checked out the "Coin Collecting for Dummies"? I reviewed the table of contents and it sound like some good general info on the hobby so I think I might be informative for me as a beginner and will read it to help me to get started.

 

I think any book you get on the hobby will be beneficial. You can never have too much knowledge.
Guy~

 

i never like red book or any other books or magazines. because its prices were terrible old. just go to your coin store or online store. that is the real price. you like it. you buy it. you don't like it. you don't buy. just simple.

 

I would say the red book also that's usually the book that most novices would purchase, I have to say it was my first book and very helpful indeed
.WElcome

JC

 

Moving beyond the Redbook... I do like "Coin Collecting for Dummies"... Not very indepth about anything, but it gives a pretty good overall first impression of the hobby/obsession Most importantly it will also help point to more resources, always a very good thing.

 

I agree with this. I think every collector needs the Red Book and the ANA Grading book. As others have pointed out, don't use the Red Book as a price guide. But its very important for the other information in there. Beyond that, it depends on what area of numismatics you are interested in.

 

Well, it certainly isn't the Redbook.

For me, Photograde is the book that taught me the most about collecting from a single source. But you have to actually READ it cover to cover and not just look at the photos.

 

ANA Grading standards and Breen's Encyclopedia if you can locate a decent copy.

 

Actually, the first question I asked at my favorite local shop turned out to be maybe the smartest question I hve asked since I started collecting. My first question was "Did I do a good job when I bought these 2 coins". Next up I asked what books they recommended for people just getting started...

The list I got was...
The Redbook
Photograde
and a book of common questions whose title escapes me right now because I have loaned it to my father so he can start figuring this stuff out as well....

 

Red book absolutely. Breen if you want to be overwhelmed. Blue book if you are looking to sell. Once you get your feet wet some type of specialty book for the series you like VAM etc. Always buy the book first. Or after making your first purchase and realizing you should have bought the book first. Most of us have made that mistake.

 

Some good books I recommend...and own

United States Gold Coins, An Illustrated History Q. David Bowers
Great thick book, all about everything on gold coins and their history

Numismatic Forgery, a technical in depth on how counterfeits are made.

United States Gold counterfeit detection guide by Bill Fivaz
Another must have book if you collect gold

Also I have coin collecting for dummies and I cannot recommend it enough. Ron Guth writes it and he's awesome.