I used to get a Red Book every year, mostly out of habit and because it's inexpensive. Then along came the "Professional" Red Book, which I like very much, so I started buying that every year too. Now I've got a boatload of Red Books cluttering up my office. So for me, it will be another couple of years before I buy another regular edition but I'll still pick up the Professional edition every year.
How often? Well I'm still using a 2006 but I'm starting to think it may be time to get a new one for updated mintage information and listing of the more recent commems.
It had been several years since I bought a Red Book but when I saw that I could buy it for my iPad it was a no brainer!! So as long as they keep that option going I'll probably buy it every year or every other year.
I still have my 2011 edition. I usually buy it every other year but have been pretty slow to buy the 2013.
The Charlton Catalogue (The Canadian "Red Book") has special features each year which make purchasing it yearly more sensible. Perhaps the editors of the Red Book should take note of that.
Every few years if I find a year old edition really cheap I will buy it. For those who know my coin library you know I am not missing information by not having a redbook, but I have a special affinity towards it. My 1977 edition I still have. Its rubber banded together, the spine literally gone. I DESTROYED that book by reading it. It is my firm belief every new US collector should always do the same. Best value in education possible.
Now I'm using 2012, the previous was 2008. I use the catalogs (Red Book and others) for 3-4 years, then I upgrade them. petronius
I like to replace mine when fellow collectors borrow my copy for a quick informational lookup. And by quick, I mean long... And by borrow, I mean steal.... #!$@
I bought the 2009 and 2010. When I compared the two, theyre almost the same book. Prices stayed identical for most everything. A few went up 5 to $10 and a few went down that much. Not much new info. So I havent purchased one since the 2010 came out. I might buy the 2014 next year just to see some updated mintages. Havent felt like Im missing anything.
Have the 2012, one previous to that was back in the early 90s I think, not sure, it's been too long. So I guess I update once every decade or so. Most of the time I use it for mintage numbers, if it's outdated, I just look up such info on newer coins online.
I've always thought it would be hard to use reference materials as an ebook. Isn't it tough flipping to a particular page, or section? I mean, right now, I have about 5 bookmarks in mine, completely different sections. It's definitely a book you don't read cover to cover. So how's that work as an ebook? And to the OP, I've got the 2011 currently still. I might get a 2013, not sure. Maybe wait for 2014.
Consider having a contest for new collectors for one of your old books, or offer them to new collectors who will send you a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
About every 5 years but this time I had 2011 which did not have 2009 mintage figures (significant year) so I just got the 2013. I was also curious what it would say with the wild silver price swings. Not that I go by that, but I like to know their position, since I know lots of other folks look at it too. I use it as a mintage reference more than a price guide, although I consider their opinion on price. Mainly I use it to log my collection in it so I have a traveling guide as to what I have. Redoing all the notes is tedious, so once every 5 years is plenty. I'm thinking a phone ap for my collection cataloger would be way cool.
