A Guide Book of United States Coins

The Official Red Book of U.S. Coins

by R.S. Yeoman, Kenneth Bressett (Editor), Jeff Garrett (Editor)

The Official Red Book, now in its 65th year, is famous nationwide as the premiere resource for U.S. coin collectors. This best-selling one-volume library helps you make smart buying decisions as you build your collection. Millions of readers rely on it for full-color photographs, detailed technical data, and up-to-date mintages. The Red Book covers the history of colonial and early American coins; official federal issues from half cents through silver dollars and gold coins; classic and modern commemoratives; Proof and Mint sets; error coins; Civil War tokens; pioneer (territorial) gold; every state and territorial quarter, plus the new National Park quarters; all of the presidential dollars; and more. You ll benefit from its practical essays on grading, investing, auctions, and other hobby subjects and of course, its pricing for 6,000-plus coins, in up to 9 grades each, gathered from more than 100 of the nation s leading coin dealers! The 2012 edition features more than 1,800 full-color photographs to help you confidently identify your coins. Updated values, mintages, and auction records. Expanded coverage of commemoratives, sets, and other coins. The latest research on colonial coins and private/territorial gold. New higher-grade pricing for classic commemoratives. And much more something of value for every collector, new or experienced. It s no wonder more than 22 million copies of the Red Book have been sold since the 1st edition!

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, History, Coin Collecting, Numismatics, Economics, How To

383 pages, Spiral-bound

First published January 1, 1959

Reviews

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm by no means a numismitist, but I love looking through this book - finding out the composition of old coins and detailed info on the coin designs. I have a few old coins in a shoebox, and to read about their history and value is pretty neat - something I wouldn't have previously been interested in.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always using, always reading.

If you wish to learn about coins, you cannot do without this book.

Published and updated annually, it contains information that would take you years to research and find elsewhere.

Go for it.

[Austin Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book, for more than just coins collectors, that shows the history of US Coining. I use this book as a guide to purchase Proof Sets. Shows the 1955 variants, the 1960 variants, as well at the 1979 variants. Highly recommended.

[Austin Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book, for more than just coins collectors, that shows the history of US Coining. I use this book as a guide to purchase Proof Sets. Shows the 1955 variants, the 1960 variants, as well at the 1979 variants. Highly recommended..

[Pj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who picks up a coin book and thinks, 'Oh, this would be good to READ'? Apparently, I do!!

I'm so glad I didn't toss this book in the giveaway pile as I was planning to do. I saw about 12 pages of history and thought this needed to be read. It was fascinating! I will add that this book was the closest I could find as my book is the Bicentennial Edition 29th Edition 1976. The ISBN comes up with edition shown.

The wild-wild west of the 1800's and even after the establishment of the 'Mint', the history almost got my head spinning.
Then, there was history at the beginning of each section of coins. So many juicy tidbits! For instance, there were four private mints in Colorado. (where I live) If I had an 1861 $5 dollar coin from J.J. Conway & Co., Georgia Gulch, CO it would be worth $35,000 (....in 1975).

Also, it was interesting to learn the only Templeton Reid $25 gold piece from San Francisco, CA 1849 specimen known was stolen from the Cabinet of the U.S. Mint on August 16, 1858. Only ONE existed! It was never recovered! I wonder what happened to it. Do you, have it? :D

Anyway, this was thoroughly enjoyed and is a keeper. Oh, and by the way, the nickels and pennies have NOT stopped being made....

[Larry Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

useful

[Selena]

How did I not know there were First Lady coins? Also one dedicated to Louis Braille.

[Doug Lund · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a great book for coin collectors it gives a value for all coins minted in the US up to the year printed. A lot of info about different coins as all information coin collectors need.

[Chris Barrans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been a helpful book for checking out dads old coins.

[Judy Tarver · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great guide for looking up coins and their value based upon their grade and how rare they are.

[Davy Bennett]

I am donating 1980. 1616 to Date.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, filled with tons of useful information.

I read the 2024 edition, but couldn't find it among the choices here on Goodreads, so this was close enough.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive and reliable reference guide. The layout makes it easy to look things up, and the historical details add value. Best used as a reference rather than a casual read

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a standard source for collectors of U.S. coins and has been for many, many years, but I must say that the pricing information (supposedly retail prices one would expect to pay) are greatly out of date -- especially when it comes to gold coinage. The 2013 (66th Edition) cautioned "Note: Values of common gold cois have been based on the current bullion price of gold, $1,750 per ounce and may vary with the prevailing spot price. The net weight and content listed may be used to recalculate the bullion value." Yet, with the 2014 (67th edition) the current bullion price is cited at $1,900 per ounce. The price of gold hasn't been anywhere near $1,900 per ounce since 2011 and is now (April 12, 2013) headed down towards $1,530. Consequently, a very common $5 gold piece (Liberty) that was listed at $475 in VF-20 in the 2013 edition is at $525 in the 2014 edition while most retail pricing for such a low grade (near bullion level) piece at this time would be closer to $425. Even with the fluctuation in gold bullion values and its impact on coin values, the editors of this otherwise invaluable guide should have given more attention to the pricing aspects in light of current events. ---- Collectors should own copies of this invaluable resource, but consider pricing information -- especially as it pertains to gold -- with skepticism.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This re-print of the classic 1st edition is a must read reference for any historical study of coin collecting in the US at an important time in the hobby.
Today's collectors will be amazed by the historical data available for the first time for the collecotrs of the day.

Th version shown is actually red, not green. And this one is the limited edition leather version.
Initially sold for $24.95 by the publisher, with a limited press run of #1200 copies. This collectible is currently valued at about $125, if you can find one.
[For further discussion, see "A Guide Book of the Official Red Book of United States Coins".

[Fred Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 68th edition of this great guide to USA Coins.

Each year as new information becomes available it is incorporated in this invaluable guide. In addition values are given for al coins in multiple grades.

Any one who collects USA coins needs to have this book in their library.

A valuable resource

Recommended

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific updated and upgrade to the Guide Book of US Coins.

Ken Bressett has outdone himself this time.

The newly listed varieties make this an indispensable addition to any coin collector's library.

Tons of new data and newly listed (for the Guide Book) varieties.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't do better as a coin collector than to use the Guide Book of US coins, by R S Yeoman, and edited by Ken Bressett.

It would take years of research to duplicate the data in this book.

Go for it!

[Qubitng · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a nice guide to the coins of the United States. Anyone starting out collecting US coins should read this. Of course all those prices in there are only ballpark figures. One good thing is it's like a dictionary; you only need to buy a new edition once every 20 years or so.

[Cws]

737.4

[Sean Evans]

Guide Book of United States Coins Edition by R S Yeoman (1976)

[Thom Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read the prices from this 1947 reprint edition and weep.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many people collect coins. This is a listing of coins minted by the United states with their descriptions and estimated values at time of publication.

[Brandon Prestage · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed finding out things about my coins, and about other coins.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought at a auction last night

[Marcus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up for a reference guide to numismatics. It's a good guide to American coins and I found the history portions of the text to be interesting.

[Kellen Coin · Rating 5 out of 5]

BUY THIS BOOK! It has maintained its high quality since 1946, includes most everything you need to know.

[Fred Waring]

never read

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gift from friend.

[Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are full of great info for any type of currency collector