A Guide Book of Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents (The Official Red Book)

This "red book" guide has saved me hundreds of dollars already and I've only owned it for a month or so. It has helped me know the value of a particular date and grade of Indian Head Cent, and thereby avoid over-bidding for an item on Ebay or another on-line site. I like things that make me smarter AND save me money, and therefore I like this book a lot.In addition, the author Rick Snow has an easy and readable writing style. He has included short essays on why it's worthwhile collecting coins, and how to make the hobby interesting and enjoyable. So the guide is more than just a reference, it's a succinct treatise on the philosophy and psychology of coin collecting. The heart of the book, however, is a year-by-year guide to one cent coins from 1856 to 1909. For each year, the author includes a page or two about what was happening in America that year, as well as the "mintage" -- i.e., how many coins were made (both business-strike and proof) of the coin, key variations, and guidance on what to look out for and how to build a collection. Of course the monetary values of each grade and variation of coin are listed. There are detailed color illustrations throughout.The final part of the book includes a very interesting and informative section on counterfeit and doctored Indian Head Cents, and a short biography of James B. Longacre, the Chief Engraver who is also the designer of the Indian Head Cent. There is no doubt that this book is an essential basic reference for any collector of 1 cent coins from 1856 - 1909. Q: Did Longacre really use his daughter Sara as the model for the bust of Liberty on the obverse of the coin? A: Read the book and find out!

If you are a collector of Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents, this book is a MUST HAVE. The author, Rick Snow, is acknowledged as one of the most knowledgeable experts on these series, in the world. His writing style is easy to read and fun. He provides all the key data on the series (mintage, errors, market value, etc.) as well as the social, political, and economic aspects at the time of each years mintage. The book is as much a history of the years 1856 - 1909, as it is a guide to collecting this very popular coin series.

Whitman does an OUTSTANDING job with this book. Its clear and concise. Thepages have kind of a matte finish to them so that the coins are clear and crisp andthe reader can see all the details. It categorizes each coin by year with a descriptionof why the coin is so valuable like the 1877 Indian. Also it gives a Snapshot of theyear of the coin so you can read what was happening in 1877 for example. Excellentbook. Highly recommend it to complete your reference library.

I use the book everytime I go on e-bay to buy an indian head cent.It allows me to place the proper value on my coin purchases.It is a great guide for the value of all the different grades of Indian head cents.It is also a provides a wonderful history or snapshot of each year a coin was minted. Knowing a brief history of each year makes coin collecting come alive and gives meaning to having an interest in coins.

Must have for Indian Head Cent collectors. Richard Snow is the world expert on Indian Heads. The book is full of historical information that makes collecting these coins a much richer experience.

Great history and background, not only of the coins but what else was going on at that time in history. Great detail on the varieties and strategies for anyone interested in building a collection.

This is the bible for anyone who is into Flying Eagle and Indian cents. Rick Snow gives a complete history on each coin for every year. He includes varieties and current values too. He gives grading guidelines and some general information for new collecters. This is a MUST HAVE for everyone who collects or is interested in these coins!

A Guide Book of Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents: Complete Source for History, Grading, and Prices; up to date of the publishing. Still a very good guide, best in what it tells you; so you can understand what you are looking at.