The "A Guide Book" Series By Whitman

So what's the consensus and "value" of these books to a collector (besides the Red Book)?

Worth a read/place in my "library"? Or just filler material? OK, but nothing special? Better stuff out there? Why buy *these* books? Are some "better" than others?

There are several I would consider acquiring, depending on price, and on their value to a collector. I'd probably spread out the purchases, because of cost and my time available for reading actual print books {grin}.

Love to know folks' thoughts!

For example, the book on Morgan dollars does a date by date analysis.

Keys to collecting for that date and mint mark
Surface quality
Proof like / DMPL
Mintage and Distribution
Varieties (this mentions usually 1 or 2 but really doesn't go into deep detail)
Proofs (mintage and key to collecting proofs)

My third edition has a price guide at the bottom. As well as a table showing the availability of MS-60/PR-60 certified population and estimated population. Of course, these are outdated but one can easily see the latest population reports online.

I don't know if this is the info you're asking about Garoyn. To me, they provide more information that just the Red Book alone.

I don't own all 19 but the 11 I do own I've read and re-read them multiple times. Someone noticed a short ray and long ray on a date of a Double Eagle and wanted to know if it was known about--I broke out my guide book and learned that indeed there were.

-MV

At many coin shows there are usually some dealers that have many of those. For some reason I've never seen the one for Mercury dimes at the shows.

I love the series- I only have the Lincoln Cent book but I am planing on buying the Barber coins book (when it comes out) and the Buffalo/Jefferson book.

Are these Whitman "Guide Books" by Q David Bowers significantly different than Bowers' earlier "Action Guide" series, like the one pictured below, from the early to mid 80's? Or did Whitman just wake up and grab the publishing rights to these books (with a slight name change--"Action Guide" to "Guide Book")?

I have several books from that earlier series and not much has changed since then with Buffalo nickels, three-cent silvers, and Half Dimes, for example. Or has it?




edit: I ordered the Lincoln Cent, Shield/Liberty nickel, and Buffalo/Jefferson nickel recent Guide Books anyway

Tbone, I don't know why Whitman didn't slap a volume number on the spine and include it in the set. The 9th edition of the book, had the red at the top.

Garoyn I don't have any of those old Action Guides so I can't answer whether they are similar or not. Hopefully, when you have time, you'll post your review/thoughts on how they compare/contrast.

-MV

Yep. It's been a few years (20-30+) since the "Action Guides" were written and when I last read them. I'm sure that Mr. Bowers has learned a few things in that time period.

I'm looking forward to reading the new series and I'll re-read the old books and post anything that seems to be of interest.

It looks like the Barber Series will be volume 20. It's due to be out in October.

http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Book-Ba...ywords=coins

I asked the folks at Whitman if they have any word on a release date for the Liberty Seated book he's working and they haven't gotten back to me yet.

This isn't a Red Book but here's another one of DQB's books coming out this year. He's quite the busy beaver.

http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Found-Ho...ywords=coins




-Edit

Whitman just got back to me regarding the Liberty Seated book. First time I've heard anything with any kind of approximate date. This is the one I'm most looking forward to

Here's what they said