A Guide Book of United States Coins

A Guide Book of United States Coins, known as the "Red Book," is the definitive price guide for United States coin collectors since its first publication in 1946. The book, compiled by R.S. Yeoman, provides comprehensive retail pricing information for coins from colonial times through modern U.S. currency. The guide covers an extensive range of numismatic items including commemorative coins, mint sets, proof sets, territorial gold, and Civil War tokens. Each entry contains detailed pricing based on coin grade and condition, with separate listings for different mint marks and design variations. The Red Book remains the standard reference work in U.S. coin collecting, with over 24 million copies sold across all formats since its inception. Published annually with updated prices, it continues to serve as a core resource alongside its companion volume, the Blue Book, which focuses on wholesale values. The enduring influence of this reference work reflects both the evolution of American currency and the growth of coin collecting as a serious pursuit in the United States.

Collectors and dealers rely on this price guide, often called the "Red Book," as a standard reference for U.S. coin values. Many note it provides clear photos, mintage data, and grading guidance. Readers appreciate: - Historical background for each coin type - Year-by-year price listings in multiple grades - Detailed variety descriptions - Compact size that fits in a pocket - Annual updates reflecting market changes Common criticisms: - Price estimates lag behind actual market values - Some photos could be higher quality - Limited coverage of varieties and errors - Basic grading information lacks depth - Paper quality could be better Ratings: Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,200+ reviews) Goodreads: 4.3/5 (90+ reviews) Reader quote: "The price guide isn't perfect but the historical information and identification details make it worth owning" - Amazon reviewer Several collectors mention buying new editions every 2-3 years rather than annually, as prices don't change enough to justify yearly purchases.

The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of Canadian Coins by Tracey L. Schmidt This reference book catalogs Canadian coins with dates, mint marks, varieties, and market values in multiple grade conditions.

Standard Catalog of World Coins by Chester L. Krause and Clifford Mishler The comprehensive catalog presents photographic images, mintage data, and values for coins from hundreds of countries spanning 1901-2000.

U.S. Coin Digest by David C. Harper This reference work provides identification guides, price listings, and historical data for United States coins from colonial times to present.

The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins by Kenneth Bressett The volume establishes coin grading criteria through detailed descriptions and photographic examples of wear patterns on U.S. coins.

Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial and Early American Coins by Q. David Bowers This reference documents pre-federal and early American coinage with historical context, variety identification, and market valuations.

🔵 When first released in 1946, the Red Book sold for just $1.50, compared to its current price of around $17.95 - representing both its evolution and the impact of inflation over 75+ years. 🔵 R.S. Yeoman developed his expertise in numismatics while working at Whitman Publishing, where he started as a office supplies salesman before becoming their lead coin guide author. 🔵 The book's grading system, which rates coins from Poor (P-1) to Perfect Mint State (MS-70), helped standardize coin condition assessment across the entire numismatic industry. 🔵 Each new edition is actually released in April of the preceding year (e.g., the 2024 edition comes out in April 2023) to provide dealers advance pricing guidance. 🔵 Kenneth Bressett, who became editor after Yeoman's retirement in 1970, maintained the book's legacy for nearly 50 years until 2017, editing an incredible 47 editions.