The Blue Book (officially called the “Handbook of United States Coins”) and the Red Book (officially called the “Guide Book of United States Coins”) are both annual publications from Whitman Publishing and popular resources in the U.S. coin collecting community . They were created by R.S. Yeoman to make coin collecting more accessible by standardizing pricing information and providing numismatic references.
Here’s a breakdown of their differences:
- Focus: Primarily on wholesale pricing.
- Purpose: To help sellers estimate what dealers might pay for their coins.
- Content: Average dealer buying prices, grading information, historical information, specifications, photographs, mintage records, and collecting tips.
- Target Audience: Sellers and those looking to understand dealer pricing practices.
- Analogy: What a car dealership might pay a private seller for a used car.
- Focus: Retail pricing.
- Purpose: To help collectors understand what they might pay for coins when buying from a dealer.
- Content: Retail prices, historical information, mintage figures, grading insights, auction records, specifications, and photographs.
- Target Audience: Collectors and investors who want a complete picture of their coins.
- Analogy: The sticker price a car dealership places on a used car.
| Feature | Red Book | Blue Book |
|—|—|—|
| Pricing Focus | Retail prices (what you pay) | Wholesale prices (what dealers pay) |
| Purpose | Buying Guide, Historical Data, Grading Insights | Selling Guide, Dealer Pricing Insight |
| Target Audience | Collectors, Investors | Sellers, those interested in wholesale values |
In essence, The Red Book is for buyers, while The Blue Book is for sellers. It’s important to remember that the prices in both books are based on past market data and may not reflect real-time market changes, especially for coins with values tied to precious metals. For the most current pricing, online resources and dealer networks can be helpful.
What’s the difference between a red and blue coin book?
From my experience, The Red Book provides a historical pricing benchmark, allowing collectors to see long-term trends and how values have changed over time. The Blue Book remains helpful in understanding dealer pricing practices, helping sellers gauge whether an offer is fair based on past wholesale pricing.
Which coin value book is best?
#1 Selling Coin Guide
The Red Book of Coin Prices is the #1 best-selling guide to U.S. rare coin values with over 25 million copies sold. The Red Book has just been released with updated prices.
What is coin blue book?
The Official Blue Book(R) provides essential pricing information, showing what dealers are paying for U.S. coins –from the colonial era of 1616 to today. With easy-to-follow grading guidelines and comprehensive price charts, this authoritative guide offers a practical, real-world view of the U.S. coin market.
What is the best way to value a coin collection?
Coin Grading : Grade Can Help Determine Coin Value
The numismatic value of a coin depends on three factors: the date and mintmark of the coin, the mintage/population of the coin and its condition or finish. A seemingly small or insignificant flaw can go a long way in affecting a coin’s value.