Richard Yeoman

R.S. Yeoman was an American numismatist and author best known for creating the "Red Book" (A Guide Book of United States Coins), first published in 1946. This annual price guide and reference work became the standard resource for coin collectors and dealers across the United States. Prior to authoring the Red Book, Yeoman worked as a retail supervisor at Whitman Publishing Company in Racine, Wisconsin, where he developed his expertise in coin collecting and publishing. His careful attention to detail and systematic approach to cataloging coins helped establish reliable standards for coin grading and valuation. The Red Book's success led Yeoman to create additional numismatic references, including the "Blue Book" (Handbook of United States Coins), which focused on wholesale coin prices for dealers. His work standardized coin collecting terminology and created a common framework that helped legitimize numismatics as a serious field of study. Though Yeoman passed away in 1988, his name continues to appear on new editions of the Red Book and Blue Book, which remain authoritative references in the coin collecting community. The publications he created have sold millions of copies and continue to be updated annually with current market values and historical information.

Coin collectors and dealers consistently praise Yeoman's Red Book for its accuracy, clear organization, and detailed coin photographs. Many readers note it helped them avoid buying counterfeits and overpriced coins when starting their collections. Readers appreciate: - Systematic grading standards - Historical background on each coin type - Year-by-year mintage figures - Clear pricing guidelines - High-quality photos showing wear patterns Common criticisms: - Price listings become outdated quickly - Some collectors find the grading descriptions too technical for beginners - Later editions contain fewer historical details than original versions Amazon ratings average 4.7/5 stars across all editions of the Red Book, with over 2,000 reviews. Numismatic forums and coin collecting websites consistently recommend it as a reference guide. One collector wrote: "I've used this book for 40 years. The pricing may fluctuate but the technical information is invaluable." Another noted: "His grading standards became the industry benchmark - this book taught generations how to evaluate coins properly."

A Guide Book of United States Coins (The Red Book) A comprehensive annual guide providing retail valuations, specifications, and historical information for U.S. coins from colonial times to present.

Handbook of United States Coins (The Blue Book) An annual reference guide focused on wholesale coin prices and market values intended primarily for coin dealers.

Modern World Coins A detailed catalog of worldwide coin specifications, mintage figures, and values covering coins produced in the 20th century.

Current Coins of the World A reference work documenting international coin designs, denominations, and composition for coins in active circulation.

Q. David Bowers authored comprehensive coin guides and price references, establishing industry standards similar to Yeoman's work. His writing combines market analysis with historical research, making him a central figure in numismatic literature.

Kenneth Bressett served as editor of the Red Book after Yeoman and wrote extensively about coin grading and authentication. He maintained the same systematic approach to coin documentation while expanding into specialized collecting areas.

David L. Ganz focuses on the legal and investment aspects of coin collecting through his market analysis publications. His work bridges collecting and commerce, providing detailed pricing data and market trends.

Walter Breen produced encyclopedic references on U.S. coins that expanded on Yeoman's foundational work. His research emphasized the historical context and production details of American coinage.

Chester L. Krause created comprehensive catalogs for world coins and paper money that parallel Yeoman's systematic documentation approach. His publications standardized international numismatic references and price guides.