I have a Blue Book because I didn't know what to buy, I get the Red Book from the Library (they have 2010 copy) , but what is the Black Book? I have never seen anything priced remotely close to what is listed in the Blue Book which I believe is by its own claim wholesale. The Red Book is by all reports too high although I see a lot of ads and auctions go for well over this list. (I know this has been discussed in another post as to why). I have never seen the Black Book I guess it is published by Whitman as well, so what is its purpose? I realize the Red Book is a guide, I have no idea what the Blue Book is for, but this Black Book has me curious. Why do we need three books by one Publisher? Couldn't they just combine the Red and Blue by stating the expected retail is ___$'s and the price a dealer may offer for this series (two cent pieces ) is going to 1/2 or 40% or 25% based on what you are looking at. I mean I compaired Indian Head cents Red Book to Blue Book and basically 1859 - 1877 the red Book price is 2x higher, 1878 - 1886 is 3x, 1887 - 1907 is 3.5X,1908 -1909S is 2x. I could give other examples, but I have probably bored enough of you, or at least bored you enough. I appreciate your replies this is the most helpful place I have found on the internet next to BibleGateway.com. I just don't want to buy more books than i need, my budget is limited as is. Thanks Again Kent
Kent: First, the Red Book is retail, the Blue book is wholesale. As stated, they are merely guides, and not a 'final word' on values. As you know the dealer's grey sheet comes out weekly, and no printed book can compete with that. Why not one book? If, as you suggested, they just used a %'age of retail for wholesale, who would want to sit around and do the math each 7 every time. As for the Black book-- NOT a Whitman product, issed bu House of Collectibles, whoever they are. Looks like a kind of Guide Book wanna be.
Thanks a lot I didn't know the Black book was not Whitman. I have nevere seen this gray sheet i am going to have to check in on it. You are always helpful i am glad you took time to reply. Kent
some one might come out with another color. maybe we need one. cause all those books mentioned were not complete. and their pricing is terrible and outdated.
blackbook fan The BlackBook is a series put out by 'House of Collectibles,' an imprint of Random House Publishing (the largest trade publisher in the world). They're actually the best-selling guides of their type (more than red or blue) and have the most accurate prices and haven't failed me yet. House of Collectibles is really well known for the coin expertise, they publish books from all the top people in the American Numismatist Organization and lots of other well-known dealers. I'd definitely check it out: HouseofCollectibles dot com.
First, welcome to the forum. Perhaps you are correct, but, for the record, I (personally) prefer the Red Book/Guide Book. Also, I never heard of the American Numismatist Organization (? The ANO?) I have heard of the ANA, American Numismatic Association. As far as the Black book, I'll pass.
I have known about the blue book and red book for over 30 years and yet I had to read this thread to just hear about black book.
Welcome to CoinTalk -- but what a strange first post to push the Blackbook like that. I have a Blackbook. I think the intro information to each coin series contains valuable information. But some of their prices, particularly for gold coins, is incredibly out of date -- sometimes by several years.
