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Pillar of the Community
United States
533 Posts |
quote:
I hear about the Red Book all the time but I was wondering does anyone use the Blue Book?
I bought one not too long ago when I started getting serious about things. Within about 30 min I realized that I wasted my money. Especially so for me because being focused on silver coins, some/most of the value (depending on the coin) is effected by spot price. The table in the back that tells 'silver melt value' of scrap coins based on silver spot price, yea, it stopped at $16/oz. I then realized that every silver coin value in the bookk was probably significantly off. I have hardly opened it since. Can you buy Gray Sheets off a magazine rack anywhere, or is it only through subscription? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Around here....the Blue Book is sold right beside the Red Book, each and every year......even in places like Hobby Lobby ! But you'll NEVER find coins for those prices...........a "dealer" will "buy" at those price of course....and he will NOT give you RedBook prices for your coins.... So I guess if you want to know what a "dealer" will pay you for your coins.....THAT'S WHAT THE "BLUE BOOK" IS GOOD FOR.....of course, for those private regular ole people who want to "sell" their coins.......the LAST place you want to go is a "coin dealer"....because he WON'T pay you what they're worth or what the going price is.....simply because he has to make a profit (understandably so). A blue book will just simply tell you what a "DEALER" will pay....roughly...and at the time of "printing" of that issue....nothing more. Now if that's your business, and your involved in that side of the "coin industry".......then you might have a copy...(though the grey sheet is more applicable) It does have the same info on coins too..... |
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Moderator
 United States
190060 Posts |
I have never had or looked at a Blue Book. But isn't it the same a as Red Book except for the prices? That is, the Blue Book is a Red Book with different prices; it has all the same history and information that makes the Red Book valuable? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3344 Posts |
I use it all the time, and just bought another copy of a 1966 for $2. Here's why: -Handy size and durability compared to RedBook, especially the old hardcovers. They last forever. -Mintage totals. -Relative coin values and rarity. -Metal contents. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire
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Moderator
United States
190060 Posts |
The last three things you listed are attributes of the Red Book as well, or am I missing something? Again, I have never looked at a blue book, so I am ignorant of the specifics! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Yeah Jbuck........ As far as I know..(i have both) The Blue book and the Red Book have exactly the same info on coins and ......just the pricing is different.......It's just a "bad" inaccurate source to see what dealers are paying (at the time of printing). But, on the other hand, as one mentioned.....it's a "hard cover" and so more durable for trips and throwing around, it's also smaller and more convenient and easy and handy with it's size. And so if the RedBook and the Bluebook are BOTH "not" good price guides, then it's JUST the information contained therein..... _____________________________________________________________________ So, I guess the only reason one might have a Bluebook is that it IS smaller/thinner and it IS tougher and will last a lot longer than the "spiral" paged RedBook......the info is the same and NOBODY goes by the prices in EITHER book....so.....that's the only thing I can think of...unless your favorite COLOR is blue......then there's another reason !.........  Edited by eaglefoot
03/18/2008 09:17 am
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Moderator
United States
190060 Posts |
Thanks eaglefoot! The Red Book comes in hardcover as well (all of mine, expect one, are hardcover). So, are you saying that the hardcover Blue Book smaller and sturdier than the hardcover Red Book? |
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New Member
United States
40 Posts |
In my opinion, the red and blue books, are good at all coin prices except for those that are fluctuating such as gold and silver. Also, the books are released far to early. I heard that the 2009 edition will be out in June.
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Moderator
United States
190060 Posts |
quote:
I heard that the 2009 edition will be out in June
Actually, it comes out in APRIL! Yes, I agree, way too early. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6326 Posts |
Well, the Bluebook is "thinner" than it's spiral counterpart, in fact about HALF the thickness......I've never bought a "hardcover" RedBook, but i'd say the Bluebook is STILL much smaller and thinner than that one too. Jbuck.......do you keep those hardback Redbooks in nice condition and on a shelf to "collect" them ? Or just to use as reference and carry them around to use and abuse all the time ? p.s. no....i couldn't say that one hardcover is sturdier than another, it's just the smaller size that might be more appropiate for some to "pack" and/or carry....(such as suitcases, briefcases, shows, estate or coin auctions... or your Cousins girlfriends house to try to get her to sell me her " inherited" coin collection !) Hee Hee Edited by eaglefoot
03/18/2008 12:07 pm
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Moderator
United States
190060 Posts |
I have four hardback Red Books: 1981, 1985, 1993, and 2000. I have one spiral, 2007. The 1981 is almost wore out, with lots of notes written in it. I was eleven, still a noob, so I treated it like a textbook!  The 1985 is a little worn, but still in great shape. My 1993 and 2000 are in great condition, almost new. I took better care of them and I do not think I ever took them with me anywhere. The 2007 spiral is getting worn out! I have been re-educating myself after a much too long break from collecting! |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4541 Posts |
Someone who collects world coins tell me a good price guide to buy? thanks
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
After reading this post at the last coin show Sunday I went to the person that had a table of coin books. Normally I wouldn't even look for the Blue Book but this time I did. None there. I asked about them and was told no market for them so he never carries them. Now I will have to try to find one to see what is so wrong with them.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
I believe the bluebook does NOT have all the history and background information that can be found in the RedBook. I also believe the only dealer that buy using bluebook prices are the ripoff dealers. It has been some time since I looked at a bluebook but at that time the prices listed in it were well below the typical wholesale prices. The only good use I cn think of for a bluebook would be to level a wobbly table. As for the RedBook, the prices should be ignored (with the exception of using them to determine relative rarity within a series) but the history, series information, coin specs, mintages, etc make it will worth owning a copy and maybe an update every ten years or so. And frankly if you don't have one, get an older copy too from before they had Bowers write the history section in the beginning. Bressett/Yeoman did a much better job of it. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2373 Posts |
I'm going to looking at some coins from a bequeathment this weekend. The owner said he quantified his ballpark price with the blue book. That may not be a bad thing depending on the grades and relative rarity. Good better and best to some, means no holes! Could be a few keepers in there and we both leave satisfied. nlp
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Posted 03/17/2008 12:42 pm
