Best book for a beginner collector?

Redbook. After 35 years I still refer to it. One thing though, you want the book for the information in the FRONT of the book, the grading infomation, mintage figures, and historical information about each series. The LEAST useful information in the book are the values. I would also recommend picking up an older copy as well from back BEFORE the introductory material in the front was written by Bowers. Bressetts into and history was much better than Bowers. Unfortunately I don't know what year Bowers intro replaced Bressetts.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

I picked up the 2010 redbook and some whitman penny books for the kids at Barnes and Noble. That was the only coin book they had from the list of books mentioned in this thread.

 

Good. I agree with the rest of the group that the Red Book is the first coin book to get. The next book is the ANA Grading Guide: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=13XHSCRY7J51XG08BS9K

After that, I think it depends on the collector. But, these are 2 must have books for any US coin collector.

 

Its the 5th edition, and not in perfect condition. Its loaded with sentimental value.

 

That's awesome. That old red book is a collectible itself.

Yeah, I would have recommended the new red book as well. (Keep in mind the current one always has the following year's date. The 2010 will have 2011 on the cover.)
The pics, coin info and details, mintage figures and the info at the beginning is very helpful to us all. The price guide is useful as a 'rough' guide. It can't get you up to the minute pricing but it will get you close on most common stuff you're looking for.

I'd recommend the ANA 6th edition too. Another reference that you won't necessarily read through past the front.

If you want a very good and interesting book to read, the best one I've read so far was "The History of the United States Mint and it's Coinage." If you read that through, you will be miles ahead of most beginners as far as general knowledge is concerned. The book helped put everything into perspective for me. I actually borrowed it, read through it in 3 days, gave it back and bought my own copy.

 

i also found a blue book. what is the difference between the two?

 

If you'd like a great read at a great price, I suggest the "Experts Guide to Collecting & Investing in Rare Coins" by Bowers.

It is available for $8 from Amazon with free shipping if your order is over $25.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=new

Of course you should order it through here to support CoinTalk:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/re...6index=blended

I borrowed it from the library but found I liked it so well I wanted a copy of my own.

 

The blue book is wholesale prices, and has much less info on the different coin types.