Old Coin Books?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by fretboard, May 4, 2010.

  1. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    I was wondering if anyone collects old Red Books or any old coin books in generall? When I was at my coin club the other night a couple of old Red Books came up in the auction. The years were 1963 or 1964, 1966 and 1967. There was also two blue covered books but off hand I don't know what they are.

    Anyways, long story short I bidded and I won them all. Since then I've only been able to look (a small amount of time) at these and there is a veritable goldmine of information in them. Anyone else have any or anything to say? :D
     
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  3. mark_h

    mark_h Somewhere over the rainbow

    I think Frank does collect red books. And Doug does collect lots of other coin related literature, just not sure about red books.
     
  4. mpcusa

    mpcusa "Official C.T. TROLL SWEEPER"

    Have a good collection, But most of the information is outdated though!
    But you still can find useful information in them, That even the updated
    Ones dont have! :)
     
  5. snaz

    snaz Registry fever

    Great question,
    Frank (Treshunt) actually wrote the "Redbook to Redbooks" published by Whitman. Hopefully he'll pop in. And yes, I do collect old books, and actually, I bought 9 more last night. All Canadian.
    If you are interested in old Red books I strongly suggest buying Franks book. He is an expert on the series.
     
  6. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    Yeah it's definitely usable material for sure! The one I was looking at was really cool and since it was years ago it shows you stuff that may not be included in the new books. I will find out more as I go but I think it's a bit funny that nobody at my coin club was bidding. I figured it out after I left and thought about it but tho. The one guy who usually bids on the books wasn't there. My win!! :D

    There's definitely good info in there to shove in the membrane for later usage. :D
     
  7. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

    Mark:
    Ya think?

    Snaz:
    Thanks for the plug.

    Fretboard:

    Okay, here's a start:
    if you got the 1963, check page 237.
    Early in the print run page #237 was omitted and page #239 was duplicated in its place.
    While not a big premium, it is worth more than the non-error.

    Also, check to see (if it says 279, if the page is thick, supposedly there were some with the correct page pasted in place of the wrong one.

    Good luck with your collecting.

    Oh, and in answer to your question: I don't collect them as much as hoard them! :)

    Actually, I am still working on a complete set of Red Books signed by Yeoman, I need 4 (I think it is 4) to complete the set from 1st ed to the year he died (last one signed was 1989).

    Also, doing the same with Blue Books.

    In addition, I am working on keeping my set current with all copies signed by Ken Bressett, from the time that he started with the Guide Book, to date.

    I still need the 2011's signed, and just got my shipment today.

    Perhaps at the ANA?

    In addition, I collect the Star Coin Books, and Star Encyclopedias, published by B. Max Mehl, alsong with the US Coin Guide by Wayte Raymond, to name a couple of other collections.

    But, nah, I don't collect too much.

    ;)
     
  8. snaz

    snaz Registry fever

    Frank, I have a star rare encyclopedia. It's yours if you need it for your set. I'll PM you later.
     
  9. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    So what is your oldest Red Book? Excuse this question as it may be dumb but I haven't checked yet. Are there old RB's on ebay and do they go for crazy prices?
     
  10. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Red Books are not my thing, I only buy one every 4 or 5 years. But other books, yeah, lots of them. I am especially fond of the early 1900's editions of the The Numismatist, and any American Numismatic Society Numismatic Notes and Mongraphs series I can find. You can find stuff in those that you'll find in no other book.

    Coin books by their nature are somewhat rare, even modern editions. Many of them are published with 500 or fewer copies. And because of this they can be rather expensive at times, and they keep going up. I've paid over $400 for several. Some of the books I own now sell for $1500.

    Unlike coins, coin books only seem to go one way when it comes to value ;)
     
  11. abe

    abe LaminatedLincolnCollector

    My last x-mas present was the hard copy of " The Authorative Referrence on Lincoln Cents", I believe only 60 copies were made. With your knowledge of old coin books, could you estimate a value of this book in 10 years or so?
     
  12. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Who was the author Abe ?
     
  13. abe

    abe LaminatedLincolnCollector

    Wexler & Flynn...
     
  14. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Hard to say since I can't find a hard cover copy. Soft cover copies are currenty selling for $60 - $85 and are readily available. But if you're right about the 60 issues, then it's probably worth a couple hundred now. In ten years, could double or triple.
     
  15. abe

    abe LaminatedLincolnCollector

    Thats good news. I believe it cost $95 if you ordered early. I've only briefly looked thru it, then put it back in its original box. Its in my cedar chest now. Thanx...
     
  16. coleguy

    coleguy Coin Collector

    Anything to look for in the 1966 Red Book, Frank? Thats the oldest one I have, just because it was in some stuff that was my grandparents. Also have a blue book from 64. I hate to look through them and see all those prices. In reality they haven't changed any more than everything else due to inflation. Still, it motivates me to invent a working time machine!
    Guy~
     
  17. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

    The Red Book started in 1947 (1st Edition) 9,000 copies printed, and then a 2nd printing, (which can be discerned from the 1st printing) of another 9,000.

    Most valuable regular issue, altho the 5th in very nice condiiton is perhaps the scarcest.

    Yes, there are old RB's on ebay--
    Take your time and look for ones in nice condition, don't rush.

    edited

    As for the Blue Book, not as popular a collectible as the RB, but many interesting items there, such as the 4th edition overprinted on the 3rd (they used up the old covers, apparenlty) same with the 9th over the 8th.
    Also, there is a black cover for the 4th, and a robin's egg blue for the 4th (I think the 4th).
     
  18. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank

    woah, thanks!
     
  19. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank


    every 4 or 5 years?

    Isn't it time?

    And agreed about the values... they go up.
     
  20. Treashunt

    Treashunt The Other Frank


    No, nothing that I can remember, but I'll check my notes.

    :)
     
  21. fretboard

    fretboard Defender of Old Coinage!

    Cool, I appreciate all the info! ;)
     
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