A Guide Book of Canadian Coins [Hardcover]

Finally, an equivalent to the The Official Red Book: A Guide Book of U.S. Coins 2013 (Guide Book of United States Coins) for Canadian coins.

While it does NOT have all the nit-picky disection of all the variants you'll find the in Canadian Coins, Vol 1 - Numismatic Issues, 67th Ed (Charlton's Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins), the prices/valuations are much more realistic in THIS Whitman book. I found the valuations in the Charlton book, which are based on slabbed, graded coins, simply ridiculous (nothing is worth LESS than $5!). So, for a general idea of what your coins are worth retail (not what you can sell them for), this book is superior. Yes, your George V, 1920 VG small cent is really only worth 25c today and not the $10 in the Charlton book!

Super high quality paper and excellent, life size photography. Lots of useful information about Canadian coins in general and, of course, grading standards provided. Includes New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland issues as well as PROVINCE OF CANADA and colonial issues.

Flaws??? There are a few. THIS BOOK DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY INFORMATION ON COLLECTOR COINAGE from the RCM. There is a section on bullion coins and collector editions of the bullion Maple Leafs. Commemoratives which were released into circulation are included. The Montreal Olympic silver commemoratives from the early 70s are present, but NO OTHER COLLECTOR COINS. Given the myriad produced by the RCM, perhaps a second volume would be in order as opposed to enlarging this book. But, if you are looking for current values on such coins, you'll need to get either the 2013 Standard Catalog of World Coins - 1901-2000 or 2013 Standard Catalog of World Coins 2001 to Date (Standard Catalog of World Coins 2001-Date) or both.

Also, the listing of Uncirculated, Proof and Speciman type sets seems to be incomplete as there are some that, quite simply, aren't here! You can find them listed in the Standard Catalogs, but not in this volume.

In short, it's a good FOUR STAR effort for the First Edition. With a few bits of tweaking, I'm sure the Second Edition will rise to the standards marked by Whitman's RED BOOK for United States Coins.

contains information I have not found in similar books and is a great aid to managing a collection. pricing quickly becomes obsolete but relative rarity remains good.

This was a gift for my husband. He said it was every bit as thorough as the Red Book Guide for U.S. Coins. He says it is something sorely needed for Canadian coins.