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Pillar of the Community
United States
4541 Posts |
I hear about the Red Book all the time but I was wondering does anyone use the Blue Book? Edited by daviscfad
03/15/2008 11:33 pm
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Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
If your sitting outside, have numerous papers that could blow away from the wind, the Blue Book makes a great paper weight.  I really don't know anyone that collects them, uses them, buys them. Now that you broght it up I've never seen one being sold at coin shows, coin stores or book stores. Might be a good book to buy if that rare.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2600 Posts |
fad, I used the Blue Book constantly until I broke down and bought a subscription the the "Gray Sheets". I found it very useful along with the Red Book for comparison. I never pay Red unless I really need the coin. I would compare the two in establishing purchase values. I use the Gray Sheets for that now. Jim |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1173 Posts |
As Jim says...the Gray Sheets are far more useful. Both Red Book and Blue Book have values that in many cases are severely outdated by the time they hit the shelf. Values could have gone up (or down) in the interim. Either book serves only as a vague guide to what you would expect to pay for a coin from a reputable dealer or a fellow collector. Grey Sheets, published monthly, can give you a better idea, since they will also indicate if prices for a particular coin have been rising, falling or holding steady. If you do much buying at all...get a subscription! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1231 Posts |
I haven't seen a blue book since the 80's
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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
188191 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
3343 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
188191 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
188191 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
188191 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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Replies: 20 / Views: 4,692 |
Posted 03/16/2008 09:21 am
