So my grandmother was cleaning out some stuff and found a couple red books. She asked if I wanted them cause otherwise she was gonna throw them away. Of course I took them. One is from 2013 and the other is 1982, the year after I was born.
Fun. I made a point of getting a 1965 (my birthyear) and a 1976 (the year I started collecting). PS- the newer Red Books have a section in the back with prices of ... Red Books! People collect the Red Books themselves, as I'm sure you probably knew. The first edition came out in 1947.
Ya I actually have a 2018 edition and saw that there were prices for Red and Blue books. Looks like you have to go back a ways before you get to any that are worth much. I thought it would still be cool to hang on to them though. I'm gonna crack open the 1982 and compare prices to my 2018 just for funsies.
The person that contributes that section in the Red Book is none other that Treashunt, a long time Member here. He is also responsible for getting me into collecting them.
Blue books also have value for earlier editions. Personally I carry a 1964. If anyone demands red book prices I will offer to use it as a reality check. They are useful for mintages but the modern mega Redbooks are not very handy to use in the field.
Blue book is a reference for dealer 'buy' prices so the prices are lower and imo at least somewhat closer to reality than the redbooks
Yes. As @Blissskr indicated, Blue Book is average wholesale (dealer) price, while Red Book is retail (collector) price.
Okay, I'm in the market for a new Red book. I think the most recent one I have is 2012. I now have the funds to go Mega Red. Should I do that, go with the professional edition, or just the regular one? I do understand from reading here the limitations of them, but I just don't feel like a real coin collector without one!
While I can't yet speak from experience, having not yet upgraded to Mega Red (let alone this Professional Edition I've as yet heard little about), I say "go big or go home", to borrow a popular modern saying.
Been using my 1976 version.... Till I recently discovered I could get a large print version. And I love it.
What kind of prices are the older ones getting? I just picked up a 1947 blue book and a few old red books, 50s 60s and 70s from craigslist.
I didn't think i would be cool if i got the large print redbook!.... But I did and it is so much easier on the eye......
