Ok, I haven't purchased a red book since 2002, so when I got my guide for 2005, I was pretty surprised that the prices had gone up so much from my previous issue. Did anyone else notice this? I don't know what year is was, in particular, when the prices went up, or even if it was a steady incline over the past three editions, but I was pretty surprised to see my type 1 1917 fine liberty quarter go from book value of 35 to 50... I don't think the market has increased as much as this book reflects.
Remember, Red Book prices are intended to be retail, and usually represent the very top end of all the information out there. You'll just about never sell for current Red Book, and can usually buy for less. Since I use it primarily as a reference on designs and compositions, I replaced my 1993 Ed. with the 2003, and probably won't move again for about as long.
I noticed some significant jumps just from last year. Satootoko is correct, however. The Red Book is not a good way to see what your coin is really selling for. Check eBay closed auctions and use that for comparison. Just keep in mind the many variables associated with eBay and their sellers.
The clad quarters were just adjusted this year. They still haven't done much with the smaller denomination coins though.
The Red Book is not accurate as a general rule. But the fact remains - values for coins, almost across the board, have increased significantly since 1999. Many coins have increased 300% - some of them even more - in the same time frame.
Well I too had to replace my older red-book today and I like what they had added to it---no black and white photos--patterns...so on and so forth. It kind of makes me sad to see the 1999 Wide AM prices at $300...last year I found a BU one in change and thought that it was silly to keep such a thing so I spent it Oh well-- rick Prices have gone up--your quarter might be more than $50 now. Just this year I have seen some go up great. Speedy
i like to use it to have an idea of what i might spend on a coin. i love the color pix in the 2005 book.
