There are many price guides available for collectors, but one of the most famous is the Red Book. This coin pricing guide is updated yearly by Whitman Publishing and is one of the most important publications in the numismatic industry. It provides collectors with a number of key information including the current coin prices, historical background and detailed specifications of each coin. The 2023 edition contains new research, new photographs, updated pricing, the latest U.S. Mint data, new auction records, and more.
The Red Book has been in print for 77 years and is the longest-running of all coin price guides. It has sold over 24 million copies to generations of hobbyists. Its popularity is due to its grade-by-grade coin values, detailed historical information, high-resolution color coin photos, and accurate mintage data. It is the most used numismatic reference amongst both dealers and collectors.
Unlike its cousin, the Blue Book, which lists wholesale prices that coin dealers will pay when buying coins from collectors, the Red Book provides retail coin values. Those values will change as supply and demand fluctuate. Some coins may not be worth any premium in circulated grades but will bring a higher premium in Mint State condition.
A Red Book is an essential tool for anyone serious about collecting and investing in rare coins. It also helps people who are not collecting, but have found a box of old pennies in Grandpa’s basement and want to know what they’re worth. The Red Book is available in both print and electronic format, and it is a must-have for any coin or currency enthusiast.