Handbook of United States Coins 2004: The Official "Blue Book" (Paperback)

~ R. S. Yeoman (Author), Kenneth Bressett (Editor), R.S. Yeoman (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

First published in 1942, the Blue Book is the annual reference book coin collectors across the country consult for the average prices that dealers will pay for their coins. The guide lists coin values compiled from data supplied from more than fifty contributors around the country, providing the most reliable information available. -The only book showing current dealer buying prices in up to seven grades of condition -Up-to-the-minute buying prices, including coverage of state-hood quarters and Sacagawea dollars -Detailed photographs of hundreds of actual-size coins for easy identification -Useful mintage records and grading and collecting tips. Fully illustrated with detailed actual-sized photographs of hundreds of coins, this handbook contains mint records and prices paid by dealers for all U.S. coins from 1616 to the present time, including colonials, regular issues, commemoratives, territorials, gold, proof sets, and mint sets. It also includes basic coin collecting information such as how coins are produced, mints and mint marks, grading of coins, location of mint marks, preserving and cleaning coins, the history of mints, and detailed descriptions of all U.S. copper, nickel, silver, and gold coins.

About the Author

R.S. Yeoman was the creator of the Red Book and the Blue Book, first published in the mid-1940s. He was a speaker, exhibit judge, and authority concerning U.S. and world coins, and the inventor of coin folders. He was a life member of the ANA, serving on the Board of Governors and receiving several awards for excellence in numismatics. He died in 1988.Editor, Kenneth Bressett, is the author of numerous books and articles on coin collecting and various aspects of U.S. and worl coins. He is a member of the U.S. Citizens Commemorative Coins Advisory Committee, and was appointed to the U.S. Coin Assay Commission by President Lynden Johnson in 1966. He has received the Zerbe award, ANA's highest honor for service, and is a member of the National Numismatic Hall of Fame.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Griffin (August 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582382018
• ISBN-13: 978-1582382012
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #922,550 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book (and proof sets ARE included), June 25, 2004

By	Evan Crawford (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

Sorry LeadPedal2, but you are wrong, and I hope not too many people have been driven away from this wonderfully written, helpful, and complete book by your false statements.
This book DOES contain information on Proof and Uncirculated sets sold by the U.S. Mint, on pages 40-42.

I've been collecting both the Red and Blue books since 1993 as a nice compliment to my coin collection, and this edition maintains Yeoman and Whitman's high standards. I am very happy with this book, and highly recommend it to other coin collectors, beginners through those with much experience.

6 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars But where's the proof?, May 22, 2004

By	Valueminded "leadpedal2" (Gastonia, NC United States) - See all my reviews

This book is good for what it includes, but there is a glaring and shocking omission! There is no info on proof sets, only on some individual coins. With the introduction of state quarter sets, annual proof sets have become a hot commodity, yet this book completely overlooks the entire category!