I need to buy some books. I have the 2003 Blue Book and that's about it. I'd like a good general book on coin collecting that will also cover how to grade coins. Also, how is the red book better/different from the blue book? I know your first inclination is to tell me to search the forum but I have and get so many threads that are so long that I find it difficult to find the actual post that mentions books but then it usually isn't what I'm looking for either. I feel like I'm searching for a wedding ring that was lost somewhere in the park. So if you don't mind helping me out... please.
My opinion, the best book there is on grading - Official A.N.A. Grading Standards for United States Coins Basic difference between the Blue Book & Red Book - blue is wholesale, red is retail. Other than prices both have about the same info if I remember correctly - haven't actually read a Blue Book in years. Now as for a general book on collecting - most of them are more geared to individual series. But browse through the titles written by Q. David Bowers - you can find dozens of them anywhere on the net. In the meantime - try starting with this - Coin Grading.com
More important difference between the Red and Blue books is that the Redbook has a lot more background and historical information about the coins.
Good books for what purpose? All around subscribe to a coin magazine, like Coinage and get a RedBook and PhotoGrade, if u want 2 know what u r buying.
I would get Coin Would Mag--I'm getting Coins Mag and it needs some help (that is my 1/2 cent) Other than the Red Book--Photograde--ANA Grading Guide--I like them all.. The book by Rich Tomaska on Franklin Halves is great...I got mine less than list price for the book and it was still a good deal. I like the old coin books...writen back in the 70's and before---even though they didn't do some things like we do them they are still packed with good info Speedy
