I'm wondering what everyone does with their old red books. There's little to no resale value since nobody wants an out-of-date guide that's updated annually. Keep 'em all? Donate them and hope to spark the bug with somebody browsing books at the Salvation Army? Other?
I bought my first Redbook in 1976 and used that exclusively until I needed the large print version a few years back.. I keep it as it reminds me of the coin crazed kid I used to be..... I have seen threads about folks here that collect them. I know one or two members here have the entire set.
My Local Coin Club collects old editions and we give them away to YNs from our table at the FUN shows.
I have a complete year set of Red Books from 1946 to the present. The early editions are worth anywhere from $100 to $300+ depending on the condition. My books are "readers copies" which is the way I like it. I can use them and not worry about wear. The first ten editions are on the left side of this photo. It is quite true that the books from say, 1955 onward are not very valuable, but they are a reasonable guide to what retail prices were in the mid 1940s through the '70s. The First Edition.
I have one from the early 80's and then a couple of more modern ones. They just live on my bookshelf. But then again I don't get rid of many books. I still have many of my college text books
One can always take them to their coin club and have them gifted to new members who are just starting out, especially kids. Let them know the prices don't matter in there anyhow.
The first red book I bought was one from the 70s I think, and it was another 10 years before I bought another. After that, about another 8 or 9 years for another. I like the big ones and tend now to get some more often, but in reality if you are just looking for basic info, and not worried about not seeing more modern coins in there, the old ones are good still.
I have a 1964 Whitman Blue Book that I like to peruse from time to time. So I guess my advice is to save it and in 50 years it will be fun to look at.
The last time I was at a coin show, I left some books on the table they had in the front that has flyers about future shows and other advertisements. I also recall taking some (along with piles of other books/magazines) to a Half Price Books years ago. They paid $1 or $2 for everything but I figured that was better than throwing all of it out. Donating is another option (if you can find a library, club, or other organization that will take books).
