The E-Sylum:  Volume 8, Number 33, July 31, 2005, Article 4

THE RED BOOK BUSTS A GUT

Gary Dunaier writes: "I just got the new 2006 Red Book
(the spiral version, if anyone's keeping count) and I've got
one quick question: Why do the descriptive paragraphs in
the commemorative section end with the 1994 World Cup
coins? After that, it's just a photograph and the listing itself."

I put the question to Redbook Editor Ken Bressett, who writes:
"The answer to this question is that the proliferation of modern
commemorative coins simply got out of hand and it was taking
up far too much space each year to give them full coverage.
Most book users simply want to know the value, so it was
decided to forego all the extra information. Adding all of the
new issues to the book each year often means adding an additional
16-page signature which, of course, adds to the cost of the book
and is a negative sales incentive."

That's what I suspected; I told Ken I wondered when the modern
issues would cause the book to bust a gut. He replied:

"Bust a gut, indeed! The Mint's greed has become so out of
control that they may soon kill the numismatic goose that is laying
all those golden eggs for them. The thought of a new series of
22 additional "satin" coins each year, half dollars for each
president and their wives or friends, and more commemorative
coins than you can imagine, is frightening. On top of this are the
new .9999 fine bullion coins, and even more of the not-for-
circulation half dollars and dollars.

I have dreams about putting all of these items in a special section
at the back of the book and calling them NCLT (non-circulating
legal tender), like the junk foreign coins that are made simply for
profit and not as part of any national coinage. No, I really won't
do that, but the thought is tempting.

When I began collecting, I bought every new issue of U.S.
coinage each year (Proof and Unc.) for about $5.00. Now it
would cost in excess of $4,000 to buy one of each different
coin, bullion or commemorative offering, in their various packaging
options. And the list is growing each year."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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