Official Red Book of US Coin Values

[bigtim1973]

We all kind of go by them in our hobby and I know several of us have purchased them.

But how often do you? Every year...maybe every few years?

I have not bought one in a couple of years and would generally give my older copy away to a friend who may be interested in coins. I recently came across an older 2010 edition and I started to compare it to my most current 2022 edition. I am going to post 2 pics. Mercury dimes seem to be a common coin we all have dug.

I am very surprised at the values between the 2 editions at how close the values of the same coin are between each volume and sometimes the 2010 edition coin example is worth more than the 2022 edition coin is.

This is very similar throughout the book between the other coins too.

And I do understand that several more key date coins may have come up at auction from estates and such but still...there is not really that much difference between them


So why even bother buying one every year other than just keeping up with say the specific commemorative silver coins or maybe some new mint mistakes.

The first pic is the 2022 edition and the 2nd pic is the 2010 edition

 

[Monkeys Uncle]

I wonder what difference would be between 2024 and say, 2014 or 2004? Do coin values truly appreciate?

 

[RichW]

I was in a Half Price Book Store 1 day and picked up some old Redbooks dating back to 1977. If you go back far enough everything has gone up. But there are a few coins that seem to increase in price almost every year ,. like the 1916D Merc. You could have bought one in good condition for around $115 in 1977. Now that coin in good condition is listed for around $1200. I watch the prices on a few favorites every year , like the 1955 double die Lincoln cent and the 1889CC Morgan silver dollar. I've bought a few favorites over the years for my grand kids. I think it's. a fun interesting hobby and I love the history behind some of these coins. BTW, I found a 1916 Mer a few weeks ago in pretty rough condition. No "D", maybe it got rubbed off. haha

 

[bigtim1973]

I did look at the silver dollar section too between each volume....for the most part since they are almost a troy ounce and 90 percent silver the silver content itself seems to have been the major factor in the price differences and that too played a role in increased value

 

[Monkeys Uncle]

Rich and Bigtim thanks for the info!

 

[sube]

I think the value does not change much has to do with the number of collectors . Such as the numbers of collectors compared before pretty much the same . Why would the value change ? . The truly rare coins always go up limited supply not like a common date merc can find them anywhere . sube

 

[still looking 52]

Unless your an avid coin collector you can get the value of a coin you find by googling it.

 

[fwcrawford]

I bought the book to ID coins when I started detecting in 2006, but have bought a newer copy since then which is old now too.
I mainly use it now to check for rare dates, so not really concerned with current value as much.

 

[Sandinpants]

I also bought one back in 1977 {OK no eye rolling} I still have it--somewhere anyway it was and is just a reference book No need to keep buying new ones

 

[Wm. Goodlife]

Collecting is so far diminished that common dates are worth mostly scrap metal unless VF or uncirculated. Even uncirc almost doesn't matter unless graded and in a sealed holder. Rare dates and 3-legged bison holding okay on values but dont expect dug wheats and nickels to get too much. 19th century coins not much better for post 1879. Earlier than that compare online auction SOLD prices.