2005 Red Book Error`s

[reid1836]

I just received last week`s Numismaquest prize ( Thanks Danielle ! ) which was a 2005 edition of the Red Book. After giving it a rather quick glance I noticed that there were several errors made in the printing of this book. I`m certain with closer scrutiny many others will follow.

1. Transitional half dimes of 1859 have a mintage of only 20 pieces. In grade fine they have a value of $20. Anyone in possession of one of these pieces in grade

fine that wishes to sell at triple the Red Book values please contact me immediately !

2. Seated Liberty quarter dollars show that for the 1891-O the mintage was a mere 6,800 pieces when in fact it was 10X that amount.

3. How about those values for the guide book itself ? The 1995 48TH Ed is valued at $800.00 in vg and fine grades but only a single dollar in vf and just

$3.00 brand new.

As I stated earlier these were found with only a scan of the listings. How many more errors are there ? Please feel free to contribute any that you can find.

[topsman]

I noticed one during my browsings.

 

pg. 152.

1936 Washington Quarter is worth $45 in EF40 but only $30 in MS-63.

 

Doesn't that go against the laws of physics?

[Wihlborg]

Oh boy!

 

I guess I'll be passing on the 2005 Redbook. Well, there's always 2006!

 

John

[jom]

I haven't bought a Red Book in years and now I remember why.

 

Actually, it's a nice source of history and mintages and whatnot but after than...I'm not sure how much use it can be.

 

jom

[Wihlborg]

Actually, it's a nice source of history and mintages and whatnot but after than...I'm not sure how much use it can be

 

I agree about its usefulness, but for some unexplained reason I always wind up buying the new edition every year.

 

John

[cladking]

I just bought my first Redbook since 1964. (actually I bought the 2004 also to compare prices). They finally show some more realistic prices on the clad quarters so perhaps the dimes can't be far behind.

[jom]

I agree about its usefulness, but for some unexplained reason I always wind up buying the new edition every year.

 

Don't worry. I think you can afford it.

 

jom

[Wihlborg]

Don't worry. I think you can afford it.

 

That really hurt Jom. You know I might need that extra red book money if the right coin comes along!

 

P.S. Hey buddy, could you spare a ‘26s buff? How about a nice Hawaiian half?

 

John

[reid1836]

An excellent example Topsman.

[reid1836]

How about those photo`s of the 1806 half cent. Looks to me like the descriptions below should be switched !

[melmcbee]

Ok, I am the newbie and thought that this book was the guru of coins. Are you saying that there are mistakes in it that will make my life of trying to learn the value of coins even harder? Well I guess I will try to find the coin for dummies book after all. Any suggestions on where I can find it cheap? Thanks.

[cladking]

Ok, I am the newbie and thought that this book was the guru of coins. Are you saying that there are mistakes in it that will make my life of trying to learn the value of coins even harder? Well I guess I will try to find the coin for dummies book after all. Any suggestions on where I can find it cheap? Thanks.

 

No. Not really. The Red Book has never been extremely useful as a guide to prices but is very good as reference material. Prices have always tended toward the high retail but in recent editions can be high or low.

[Here]

I just bought my first Redbook since 1964. (actually I bought the 2004 also to compare prices). They finally show some more realistic prices on the clad quarters so perhaps the dimes can't be far behind.

 

The only Redbook I have is the 1963 edition. I believe I got it when I was in 3rd or 4th grade. How about a 3 legged Buffalo in unc. for $90.00?

 

 

Jerry

[reid1836]

Hi Mel,

To be perfectly honest I have found a few mistakes in the new Red Book. But I must confess it to be a valuable asset and addition to my library. For the most part the values listed are ballpark figures and not meant to be taken as absolutes. The mintage figures are a great source for reference as well as some of the varieties pictured. My original intention was to have a little fun with searching for their mistakes . Sorry if I left you with a bad impression of the book. Speaking strictly for myself. I use it as a reference book almost on a daily basis to some degree. I consider it well worth the purchase price. Had it not been for receiving it as a prize I certainly would have purchased a copy at some point.

As a matter of fact some Red Books in the past that have had errors in them are now considered collectibles. ie:(1963 ed with inverted page, and some even have doubled lettering on the cover those are really neat!)

[HaydenTubbs]

Ok, I am the newbie and thought that this book was the guru of coins. Are you saying that there are mistakes in it that will make my life of trying to learn the value of coins even harder? Well I guess I will try to find the coin for dummies book after all. Any suggestions on where I can find it cheap? Thanks.

I don't like the Red Book,last year edition's values were below wholesale soon after it was printed .Face the facts, there's a new edition only once a year so it's never up to date as the coin market is always fluncuating.

I would recomend subscribing to Coin World link and Numismatic news link

They come out weekly and you would really enjoy reading the many articles,plus they each have a seperate monthly price guide for US coins.In this way you can get an idea of prices from the many advertisers(like me )

Some advise:

cross referance the 2 price guides as for the most part CW values are inflated and NN's are often below wholesale.

 

and welcome to the boards!

[EZ_E]

[quote

No. Not really. The Red Book has never been extremely useful as a guide to prices but is very good as reference material. Prices have always tended toward the high retail but in recent editions can be high or low.

 

Excellent, excellent summary, Cladking. I've made the same observation. When I collected as a kid in the '70's, I remember the Redbook being extremely unrealistic price wise. It was always high. Now, I've noticed that many prices are currently too low in this escalating market. But, of course, it is already a year out of date by the time it is up for sale.

[BillJones]

I buy a new hardcover Red Book every year because I have a complete "readers' quality" set from the very first edition. The book is not a useful price guide now for most regular issue U.S. coins, but many collectors still use it for items that are not on the Gray Sheet. These items include colonial and post American Revolutionary War coins and tokens. It's also provides some brief listings for Hard Times tokens and now U.S. pattern coins.

 

The Red Book was a pricing "bible" back in the '40s, '50s and '60s. Many collectors eagerly awaited the new books when they were issued at their usual time in mid summer. But when the hobby becanse more popular and prices become more volitile, it was replaced by publications that were undated through out the year.

[EZ_E]

Is it true that the 2005 edition has info on famous hoards?

[topsman]

The last section before the index has some nice additions this year such as:

 

* Popular first year coins

* Least noticed coins

* Info on different treasury release acts

* Famous hoards/collections/collectors

* List of the top 250 coins be realized prices at auction

 

Another feature I like about the 2005 Red Book, is how they made the pages glossy this year instead of that dull paper texture. I think it adds some quality to the images.

[EZ_E]

Thanks for the info, Topsman.

[reid1836]

Here`s another one to add to the list of errors. 1873 Open 3 $3 Gold lists for just $25 in vf-20.

[HaydenTubbs]

Here`s another one to add to the list of errors. 1873 Open 3 $3 Gold lists for just $25 in vf-20.

 

 

 

 

 

Wow! anybody have any for sale?I'll pay over retail!

[reid1836]

Sorry , no cheap three`s today ! But I did find another one to add to a growing list. A 1944 D/S Lincoln cent is valued at $250 in AU-50 but only $200 in MS-60.

[Wihlborg]

A 1944 D/S Lincoln cent is valued at $250 in AU-50 but only $200 in MS-60.

 

Well you know what they say, 'A lot of AU coins look better than a MS-60 piece'

 

John

[topsman]

WAIT! There is an *.

 

And whenever print media adds one of those *, all rules of modern logic are thrown right out the window!

[reid1836]

Hi John,

I would agree if the case were say an AU-55 or perhaps AU-58 vs MS-60. But I`m afraid I`d have to differ with a just making the grade AU-50 . Although I admit that there can be exceptions, this certainly would not be what I would consider a rule of thumb. By the way, would happen to have an MS-60 example that you would be willing to trade for a more valuable AU-50?

[Wihlborg]

Hi reid1836,

 

My comment was an attempt to make a joke of the Redbooks error, and not as a statement that a low AU would definitely be worth more than a MS-60 coin.

 

I guess I better keep my day job.

 

John

[reid1836]

Hi John,

No problem. I did feel that you made a valid point though. I`ve seen several upper end AU`s in different series that I would have been willing to pay a bit more for than a lower end MS of the same coin. Usually because they have fewer bag marks and better luster.