coin books

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by caser, Jan 31, 2009.

  1. caser

    caser Junior Member

    So I was looking around for a red book, and I came across a blue book. What are the difference? Is one better for a beginner than the other?
    Please Help me..
     
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  3. the_man12

    the_man12 Amateur Photographer

    Blue book lists collector values and red book lists dealer values. Red book shows higher prices. Neither is completely accurate, the price is often somewhere between.
     
  4. LSM

    LSM Collector

    The Red Book is the retail price of a coin or what you would pay for a coin that you would purchase from a dealer. The Blue Book is the is the price the dealer would purchase the coin from you or the whole sale price of a coin.

    Lou
     
  5. caser

    caser Junior Member

    so as a beginner what is the better one to get? I want to know as much as possiable.
     
  6. Fish

    Fish Half Cent Nut

    Start with the red book. Depending on where you're at in Michigan, I'd strongly recommend finding your local club and, if not joining, at least visiting a few times. Can you easily get to Livonia?
     
  7. caser

    caser Junior Member

    not really I am in Jackson, so that would be a little bit of a ride. It's good to hear from another Michigan collector. I am just getting started, and might have to bounce some more questions off of you.
     
  8. Hobo

    Hobo Squirrel Hater

    Use the Red Book (or the Blue Book) as a guide only. The prices listed are rarely accurate. The Red Book is a great reference for mintage figures and relative values but I would not recommend using it to determine a coin's value.
     
  9. caser

    caser Junior Member

    Yeah I don't plan on looking at values for a while. I am more in it for the fun, the only reason I would look at value is to make sure I am getting a fair price for a coin. I more what to know what to look for and try to get a collection started in the right direction. I have started a Lincoln cent, and look into others for later.
     
  10. Fish

    Fish Half Cent Nut

    The red book is fine for general info, tends to have good pictures, and can help you learn what you don't know - a very valuable thing indeed.

    Feel free to ask anything you'd like via PM.
     
  11. the_man12

    the_man12 Amateur Photographer

    The blue book is very informational as well but real values tend to be closer to red book values
     
  12. TheNoost

    TheNoost huldufolk

    Check your PMs
     
  13. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    Then get the Redbook and READ it. Especially the material in the front. The prices you can pretty much ignore completely but everything else is worth while. The blue book doesn't have as much background information in it.
     
  14. caser

    caser Junior Member

    Thank you everyone that is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the patience.
     
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