Handbook of United States Coins

The Handbook of United States Coins, known to collectors as "The Blue Book," serves as a wholesale price guide for U.S. coin dealers. First published in 1942 by Richard Yeoman, this reference book has been updated annually and remains an industry standard. The guide contains detailed listings of U.S. coins from colonial times to present day, with wholesale prices in multiple grades of preservation. Each coin type includes historical background, mint marks, design variations, and key identifying features that help dealers and collectors assess value. The book features clear photographs and illustrations of coins, along with mintage figures and auction records that inform current market valuations. Technical sections explain grading standards, coin terminology, and authentication methods. This reference work represents the intersection of numismatic scholarship and market economics, documenting both America's monetary history and the evolution of coin collecting as a commercial enterprise.

Readers value this price guide as a quick reference for U.S. coin values, particularly when buying or selling. Many collectors appreciate its compact size for bringing to coin shows and shops. Likes: - Clear photos and identification guides - Annual updates reflect current market values - Value ranges for multiple coin grades - Historical background on coin types - Portable format Dislikes: - Some report values can lag behind fast-moving market prices - Paper quality declined in recent editions - Less detailed than the Red Book series - Limited coverage of varieties and errors - Small print size challenges older readers Ratings: Amazon: 4.6/5 (892 reviews) Goodreads: 4.1/5 (47 reviews) Notable reader comments: "Perfect starter guide for new collectors" - Amazon reviewer "Values are conservative but reasonable baselines" - Numismatic forum member "Miss the better paper quality of older editions" - Goodreads review "Photos could be larger and sharper" - Coin collector blog

A Guide Book of United States Coins by Kenneth Bressett The most comprehensive price guide and historical reference for U.S. coins from colonial era to present.

Standard Catalog of World Coins by Chester Krause and Clifford Mishler A reference guide containing values and specifications for global coins from 1601 to present day.

The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Paper Money by Arthur L. Friedberg and Ira S. Friedberg A complete catalog of U.S. federal currency with pricing, historical data, and production figures.

Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1934 by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth A specialized reference documenting the mintage, rarity, and market values of U.S. gold coins.

The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins by Kenneth Bressett A technical manual illustrating coin grading standards with photographs and descriptions of wear patterns.

🔵 First published in 1942, this book has become known as the "Blue Book" among coin collectors due to its distinctive blue cover, and has been published annually for over 75 years. 🔵 Author R.S. Yeoman began his numismatic career working for Whitman Publishing, where he revolutionized coin collecting by introducing the now-standard cardboard holders with clear windows for coin storage. 🔵 The book provides wholesale prices that dealers typically pay for coins, making it an essential companion to Yeoman's other famous work, "A Guide Book of United States Coins" (known as the "Red Book"). 🔵 Kenneth Bressett, who took over editing the Blue Book after Yeoman's retirement, apprenticed directly under Yeoman and continued his legacy for decades, maintaining the book's reputation as a trusted pricing resource. 🔵 The first edition of the Blue Book sold for just $1, and its introduction helped standardize coin grading and pricing across the United States, transforming coin collecting from a casual hobby into a more structured pursuit.