Plate coins in the Red Book
Dentuck
Posts: 3,820 ✭✭✭
A Red Book reader recently asked about how coin photographs are chosen for inclusion, and whether plate coins (as they're called) have any special signifigance.
This was my reply.
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Excellent question! And congratulations on owning a Red Book plate coin --- that's very cool.
We're always on the lookout for images that will "upgrade" the ones already published in the Red Book. Throughout the year, and especially as we get close to layout of the new edition, we review Whitman's coin image library and decide on new images.
In the 2010 edition, for example, we swept through the Pre-Federal (colonial and post-colonial) sections and made a huge number of improvements in the coins and tokens pictured. We also made space to insert images of pieces that were never pictured before. Same for nickels, cents, and a few other denominations. A couple years ago we upgraded nearly all of the classic commemoratives. A year or two before that, we upgraded many of the Bust half variety photos and closeups. Back-of-the-book sections get the same attention --- Civil War tokens, Hard Times tokens, etc.
These kinds of choices are made by editor Kenneth Bressett, research editor Q. David Bowers, valuations editor Jeff Garrett, me in my role as publisher, Whitman's in-house editorial staff, and by recommendation of our readers.
Where do we get the photographs? Tom Mulvaney --- one of the best numismatic photographers in the business --- has taken quite a few of them. Ira and Larry Goldberg recently shared the sterling work of their house photographers in the field of early copper. Al Adams was the dealer who provided a beautiful collection of classic silver commems for photography. The U.S. Mint keeps us up to date with commems, bullion issues, and other modern coins. Heritage Auction Galleries, the American Numismatic Association, PCGS, NGC, the Smithsonian, Stack's Rare Coins, and other dealers, organizations, and individual collectors share photographs of exceptional coins for illustrations. [Photographic sources are listed in the book's credits, in the front.]
Does a coin's status as a plate coin in the Red Book add to its value? I've heard it said that prominent inclusion in ANY standard reference (or in a famous collection's auction catalog) will add value to a coin. Certainly in the hobby we often see that kind of "notoriety effect" among certain pedigreed pieces. Collectors can be sentimental and romantic, and a book like the Red Book has such a long and warmly regarded history in the hobby that there might be some extra sentimental value attached to such coins --- sentimental value that translates into extra monetary value. What do you think? Would you pay more for a coin that's been featured in the Red Book?
This was my reply.
= = = =
Excellent question! And congratulations on owning a Red Book plate coin --- that's very cool.
We're always on the lookout for images that will "upgrade" the ones already published in the Red Book. Throughout the year, and especially as we get close to layout of the new edition, we review Whitman's coin image library and decide on new images.
In the 2010 edition, for example, we swept through the Pre-Federal (colonial and post-colonial) sections and made a huge number of improvements in the coins and tokens pictured. We also made space to insert images of pieces that were never pictured before. Same for nickels, cents, and a few other denominations. A couple years ago we upgraded nearly all of the classic commemoratives. A year or two before that, we upgraded many of the Bust half variety photos and closeups. Back-of-the-book sections get the same attention --- Civil War tokens, Hard Times tokens, etc.
These kinds of choices are made by editor Kenneth Bressett, research editor Q. David Bowers, valuations editor Jeff Garrett, me in my role as publisher, Whitman's in-house editorial staff, and by recommendation of our readers.
Where do we get the photographs? Tom Mulvaney --- one of the best numismatic photographers in the business --- has taken quite a few of them. Ira and Larry Goldberg recently shared the sterling work of their house photographers in the field of early copper. Al Adams was the dealer who provided a beautiful collection of classic silver commems for photography. The U.S. Mint keeps us up to date with commems, bullion issues, and other modern coins. Heritage Auction Galleries, the American Numismatic Association, PCGS, NGC, the Smithsonian, Stack's Rare Coins, and other dealers, organizations, and individual collectors share photographs of exceptional coins for illustrations. [Photographic sources are listed in the book's credits, in the front.]
Does a coin's status as a plate coin in the Red Book add to its value? I've heard it said that prominent inclusion in ANY standard reference (or in a famous collection's auction catalog) will add value to a coin. Certainly in the hobby we often see that kind of "notoriety effect" among certain pedigreed pieces. Collectors can be sentimental and romantic, and a book like the Red Book has such a long and warmly regarded history in the hobby that there might be some extra sentimental value attached to such coins --- sentimental value that translates into extra monetary value. What do you think? Would you pay more for a coin that's been featured in the Red Book?
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If you're an ANA member, you can borrow it from their library, or buy a copy from your local bookstore or online. It's one of my favorite books just for its behind-the-scenes look at the numismatic publishing world from the 1940s to today. If you collect coins, it's a really fun read.
<< <i>I've heard it said that prominent inclusion in ANY standard reference (or in a famous collection's auction catalog) will add value to a coin. Certainly in the hobby we often see that kind of "notoriety effect" among certain pedigreed pieces. >>
I wouldn't say that a pedigree or status as a plate coin automatically adds value, but they sure are fun to collect!
I realize it's not that easy, with the images coming from many different sources, but it would still be neat.
Michael Kittle Rare Coins --- 1908-S Indian Head Cent Grading Set --- No. 1 1909 Mint Set --- Kittlecoins on Facebook --- Long Beach Table 448
<< <i>Does a coin's status as a plate coin in the Red Book add to its value? I've heard it said that prominent inclusion in ANY standard reference (or in a famous collection's auction catalog) will add value to a coin. Certainly in the hobby we often see that kind of "notoriety effect" among certain pedigreed pieces. Collectors can be sentimental and romantic, and a book like the Red Book has such a long and warmly regarded history in the hobby that there might be some extra sentimental value attached to such coins --- sentimental value that translates into extra monetary value. What do you think? Would you pay more for a coin that's been featured in the Red Book? >>
Sure. Fame and notoriety tends to add value to most anything, and I do not know why numismatic items would be any different.
I would point out, though, that nearly all of the Redbook plate coins (at least in the series with which I am most familiar) were also plated elsewhere (such as in a Ford or Eliasberg catalog, for example) long before they became the Redbook coins, and that earlier provenance would likely be considered even more compelling by many collectors.
I've owned former Redbook plate coins. As the plate coins change, any premium would vanish IMHO.
Has anyone noticed how "white" the plate coins have become?
K
My 1866 Philly Mint Set