2004 version for $8 2012 version for $16 Obviously not that much changed in the coins themselves during that eight years ;-) Were more VAMs discovered? More research? Better pictures? For someone just starting out with Morgans, is the older, cheaper book "good enough"?
The newer book has better pictures, and page quality. Bowers doesn't go very deep into VAM's, so minor new varieties would have been looked over anyways. He only touches on the significant ones in the book. Of course the history and Bowers' own stories remain the same.
Or, you can get info on your Morgans FREE by clicking on the following URL http://www.vamworld.com/Morgan VAMs By Date
The 4th Edition has updates on Market Value, Certification Populations (PCGS & NGC only) and some additional data on the quantity extant and distribution of bags/hoards for certain select issues, plus Color Photos. IMHO, the color photos do not provide any benefit over the B & W photos of the earlier editions since Mr. Bowers chose "white" coins with no appreciable toning to represent all of the date and mint combinations. I own the 3rd and 4th editions and there is very little difference between the two. I use this guide extensively as a reference for Mr. Bowers insight into each issue: its relative scarcity, typical strike and appearance, and what constitutes an above average grade for coin hunting purposes.
