How Many Real Books Are There, or Not? The Story of Commemorative Coins and More

In the world of collecting, whether it's books or coins, enthusiasts seek both rarity and authenticity. This article dives into the fascinating realm of commemorative coins while exploring related topics such as The Real Book, fake books, and custom promotional items like challenge coins and enamel pins. Through this lens, we’ll examine the history, legality, and significance of both collectible books and coins.

What Is The Real Book?

Before we dive into the relationship between commemorative coins and The Real Book, it's important to clarify what The Real Book is. For musicians, particularly jazz enthusiasts, The Real Book is a well-known compilation of lead sheets. Lead sheets are musical notation formats that provide the melody and chord symbols for a song, but leave the rest to interpretation by the performer.

Initially, The Real Book was created in the 1970s by a group of Boston-based jazz musicians who compiled a collection of songs they frequently played in jam sessions. Over time, it became one of the most sought-after resources for aspiring jazz musicians. However, it also became somewhat notorious, as the first editions were produced without the permission of the songwriters, making The Real Book technically illegal at the time. Today, official versions of The Real Book are legally available, but the question still remains: How many editions of The Real Book are there?

How Many Editions of The Real Book Are There?

The number of editions of The Real Book has grown substantially since its creation in the 1970s. The original edition, the First Edition, was quickly copied and distributed illegally, but it became a standard in the jazz community despite the controversy surrounding its production. Over time, more official editions were released, each featuring a broader range of songs and some improvements in accuracy.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the main editions:

The Sixth Edition of The Real Book is often considered the most up-to-date, providing modern jazz musicians with the best resource for contemporary standards.

Why Was The Real Book Illegal?

The reason the first editions of The Real Book were illegal is straightforward: copyright infringement. The book was created without the permission of the original composers or publishers, making its distribution and sale illegal. The lead sheets were essentially reproductions of copyrighted songs, and because the book was sold without royalties or proper licensing, it violated intellectual property laws.

Today, the legal editions of The Real Book are produced by reputable publishers who pay the necessary royalties to the songwriters and their estates. This makes the newer editions legal and above board, but the shadow of the book's controversial origin continues to cast its influence over jazz musicians and collectors alike.

The Real Book and Its Legacy

Despite its controversial beginnings, The Real Book has become an iconic resource for jazz musicians. Many players and educators consider it a must-have for anyone serious about learning jazz standards. It has influenced the way jazz is played, studied, and appreciated around the world.

Commemorative Coins: A Collector’s Treasure

Much like The Real Book, commemorative coins are a valuable collectible item that has been sought after by enthusiasts for centuries. However, unlike The Real Book, commemorative coins are primarily collected for their historical significance, artistic design, and rarity.

What Are Commemorative Coins?

Commemorative coins are specially minted coins that honor a particular event, person, place, or achievement. These coins are often produced in limited quantities and are designed to celebrate significant milestones such as anniversaries, national holidays, or the birth of notable figures.

Collectors value commemorative coins because they typically carry intrinsic value through their precious metals (like gold or silver) and also have a cultural or historical relevance. These coins are produced by governments or authorized bodies, which ensures their authenticity and legitimacy.

Coin Value Books: Which One Is Best?

If you’re looking to collect commemorative coins, you’ll need a reliable coin value book to help you understand their worth. Several guides are available for collectors, but not all are created equal. Here are some of the top options for coin collectors:

1. The Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins
   The Red Book is often considered the definitive guide for U.S. coin collectors. It provides current values for coins based on their rarity, condition, and historical importance.

2. The Standard Catalog of World Coins
   This catalog is ideal for collectors of international commemorative coins. It offers detailed information on coin values, mintages, and history for coins from all around the world.

3. The Official Blackbook Price Guide to U.S. Coins
   A great resource for beginners, the Blackbook guide offers a straightforward approach to understanding the value of U.S. coins.

4. The World Coin Price Guide
   For those interested in collecting coins from different countries, this price guide offers comprehensive listings and accurate market values.

By using one of these value books, you can determine the value of your commemorative coins and track the changes in their worth over time.

The World of Fake Books and Fake Coins

In both the book world and the coin world, forgeries are a common issue. It’s essential for collectors to be able to distinguish between genuine items and forgeries, as buying fake items can lead to financial loss and disappointment.

What Are Fake Books Called?

In the world of music, fake books refer to a genre of music books that are often incomplete or contain inaccurate versions of songs. These books typically lack full arrangements and only provide a basic melody and chord progression, making them incomplete for serious musicians. While The Real Book has a legacy of being an unofficial "fake book" in its early editions, it’s important to note that modern editions are fully legitimate and copyrighted.

Fake Commemorative Coins: How to Spot Them

The market for commemorative coins is also rife with forgeries. Fake coins can be made from base metals, plated with gold or silver, and passed off as authentic commemorative items. To avoid purchasing fake commemorative coins, collectors should:

• Research the Mint Mark: Authentic commemorative coins usually have a mint mark that identifies the country and mint where the coin was produced.

• Weigh the Coin: Genuine commemorative coins are made from specific metals, and their weight should be consistent with the standard for that coin type.

• Check for Engraving Quality: The quality of the engraving is often a giveaway. Counterfeit coins may have blurred or shallow engravings.

• Consult a Professional: If you're unsure about a coin's authenticity, take it to a professional numismatist for verification.

What Are Challenge Coins?

A challenge coin is a type of commemorative coin that is often given to members of organizations, military personnel, or clubs to commemorate an event or achievement. Unlike traditional commemorative coins that are typically produced for public sale, challenge coins are distributed privately, usually as a symbol of membership or accomplishment.

Challenge coins are highly personalized and can be customized with logos, text, and other designs. As such, they often serve as a physical representation of shared values or experiences within a group.

Customized Promotional Items for Coin and Book Enthusiasts

Collectors of both books and coins often enjoy personalized or customized memorabilia related to their passion. Custom embroidered patches, nylon lanyards, and metal key chains are just a few examples of promotional items that can be personalized with logos, names, or artwork.

For example:

• Challenge Coin, Customized: Personalized challenge coins can be a great way for organizations to celebrate milestones or honor exceptional contributions. These coins often feature intricate designs and are made from high-quality materials.

• Customized Enamel Pins: Enamel pins are another form of customized memorabilia. They can be designed with the logo of a club, a particular coin design, or even as a homage to an iconic book like The Real Book.

• Promotional Items, Customized: Whether it's a special edition book, commemorative coin, or collectible merchandise, custom promotional items can be a unique way to celebrate a passion for collecting.

Conclusion: A Collectible World of Books and Coins

Whether you’re an avid musician studying jazz with The Real Book, or a numismatist carefully collecting commemorative coins, the world of collectibles is rich with history and significance. Understanding the nuances between real and fake editions, knowing which coin value books to rely on, and customizing promotional items like challenge coins or embroidered patches are all part of the thrilling journey of collecting.

As the popularity of commemorative coins continues to rise, and as The Real Book continues to evolve, collectors will find themselves navigating an ever-changing landscape. The key to enjoying this hobby is staying informed, using trusted resources, and, most importantly, savoring the journey of collecting.