A Guide Book of United States Coins, 2007

The Official Red Book of U.S. Coins

by Kenneth Bressett (Editor) R. S. Yeoman

In 1946, a slim but fact-filled book hit the hobby scene: R.S. Yeoman’s Guide Book of United States Coins. This April, Whitman Publishing will release the 60th Anniversary edition of this beloved, best-selling hobby guide, known everywhere as the “Red Book.” The Red Book prices more than 6,000 coins, with nearly 30,000 individual values. Of course this comprehensive pricing isn’t the only reason collectors have made the Red Book one of the top-selling nonfiction titles in publishing history. A solid foundation and 60 years of numismatic scholarship have built what many collectors call “the Bible of the hobby” –a single resource that teaches a little of everything about American coins; a reference jam-packed with facts and figures that researchers go back to time and time again. More than 700 new full-color photographs, updated mintages and coin values, new auction records, additional pattern pieces, expanded coverage of Civil War tokens, and the latest commemoratives, sets, and other coins. Full color throughout; illustrated; 417 pages, edited by Kenneth Bressett.

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

417 pages, Spiral-bound

First published January 1, 1959

Reviews

[Jody]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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....

[Joe]

The story is about the history of US coinage, but the knowledge inside the book is tremendous. From colonial East India currency to our Washington quarters. I thought this book was outstanding. I use this book every time I research a coin. Even if I find a quarter, I can use this book to research it and estimate the value. Highly recommended.

[Larry Smith]

useful

[Selena]

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

[Doug Lund]

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]

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

[Judy Tarver]

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

[Davy Bennet Surf]

I am donating 1980. 1616 to Date.

[Brad]

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.

[Inspired: Veteran Made]

Good reference

[James]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Read the prices from this 1947 reprint edition and weep.

[Fredrick Danysh]

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]

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

[Kim]

Bought at a auction last night

[Marcus]

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]

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

[Fred Waring]

never read

[J]

Gift from friend.