It’s interesting what can be found in a collector’s world. Take a look at this little booklet titled, “Welcome to Coin Collecting!”
First, take a look in the upper right corner. This little gem was 15 cents way back when.
Inside the front cover, images of a few coins form an arc over the copyright details.
But, since that’s too small to read, let’s take a closer look:
Remembering our Roman Numerals, this copyright is 1966. [ 1000 (M) + 900 (CM) + 50 (L) + 10 (X) + 5 (V) + 1 (I) = 1966] Using the Bureau of Labor Statistics calculator, 15 cents in 1966 would be $1.05 in today’s market.
At 15 cents (or $1.05 today) this little booklet was less than 20 pages and provided a lot of information to tease a youngster’s interest in the hobby of coin collecting. Claiming coin collecting is the world’s oldest hobby helped intrigue parents and grandparents alike. This little booklet could also have grabbed the interest of adults who wanted to explore the highlights of numismatics.
You’ll note the copyright belongs to Whitman Publishing. It’s fitting that the back of the small booklet contained a list of books to help the beginning collector learn more.
Taking a closer look, this back page includes:
Enjoy your hobby to the fullest. Learn about your coins through these top six of the world’s most popular books on coin collecting.
“Let’s Collect Coins,” by Ken Bressett. An introduction to the hobby. Answers all of the beginner’s questions and has a price guide to all valuable United States coins. 64 pages . . . . . $0.50
“Handbook of United States Coins,” by R. S. Yeoman. The most practical price catalog for new collectors. Shows prices paid by dealers for U. S. copper, nickel, silver and gold coins. Includes information on mint records, mint marks, how to buy and sell. 128 pages . . . . . $1.00
“A Guide Book of United States Coins,” by R. S. Yeoman. The standard retail price guide for all U. S. coins. Contains information on proof coins, commemoratives, Colonial and Territorial issues. 256 pages . . . . . $1.75
“A Guide to the Grading of United States Coins,” by Martin Brown and John Dunn. Tells how to determine the various conditions of U. S. coins. Detailed line drawings show condition grades for every type from 1793 to date. 208 pages . . . . . $1.75
“United States Commemorative Coinage,” by Arlie R. Salbaugh. Covers each issue of U. S. commemorative coins. Includes stories of events, quantities minted, designers’ names and facts about original issue practices. 144 pages . . . . . $1.75
“Catalog of Modern World Coins,” by R. S. Yeoman. The standard reference guide to coins of all countries. Lists and prices each coin from approximately 1850 to the present. Contains information about dates, mints, metallic content and denominations. 510 pages . . . . . $4.00
Perhaps to underscore the longevity of the hobby, these books are still available today in updated formats, though two of them are currently on Amazon as used only.
One is quite familiar as the Redbook (Guide Book of United States Coins), and another is known as the Blue Book (Handbook of United States Coins).
Interestingly, the books have gotten larger and more elaborate over the years as they have been updated, but the prices, adjusted for inflation, haven’t really increased that much. The above prices of $0.50, $1.00, $1.75 and $4.00 would be $3.49, $6.97, $12.20 and $27.90 today. In fact, the latest Redbook is available on Amazon for less than $12.00.
This fun little booklet find is not pristine, but it certainly survived its 45 years with most of its information still valid.
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See Amazon for updated versions of these books: