"New 65th-Anniversary Red Book Features Fresh Data, More Photos, Expanded Information"
Dentuck
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The 2012 (65th) edition of the Guide Book of United States Coins
(known to collectors as the “Red Book”) includes many new features,
plus additions and updates to the book’s 1,900-plus color photographs.
A redesigned title page commemorates the annually published guide reaching
its 65th anniversary. The new edition is available April 2010 in four different
formats. Members of the American Numismatic Association may borrow the
book for free from the Dwight N. Manley Numismatic Library. Many public
libraries also carry the Red Book in their antiques-and-collectibles sections.
Red Book Editor Kenneth Bressett;
Research Editor Q. David Bowers; and
Valuations Editor Jeff Garrett
“Valuations in this year’s Red Book reflect the general state of the market,
throughout the hobby,” said longtime editor Kenneth Bressett. “Rare coins
in exceptional condition continue to hold or increase in value. Many of the
more ordinary items have shown some price weakening, while most low-grade
pieces remain unchanged or in some cases have gone up because of their high
bullion value. Overall, there seem to be bargains to be had throughout the entire
range of American coins now that prices have receded a bit from the overheated
market of recent years.”
Bressett pointed to appendix C (“Bullion Values of Silver and Gold Coins”) as an
indicator of today’s precious-metal trends. The 64th-edition Red Book charted
silver from $8 to $22, and gold from $925 to $1,450. In the 65th edition this
appendix has been doubled in size, charting silver from $16 to $43 and gold
from $800 to $1,875.
Observing today’s rare-coin market, Valuations Editor Jeff Garrett said, “Important,
high-quality coins continue to bring record amounts. Increased bullion prices have lifted
the value of common, low-grade issues, but in general coins with average eye appeal
have softened slightly due to the weak economy. While many collectors and investors
focus on bullion, rare coins offer tremendous value at today’s prices.”
Research Editor Q. David Bowers, commenting on the book’s continuing popularity
(more than 22 million copies have been sold since 1946), noted that “Even in the
Internet age, the Red Book remains solidly the collector’s best and first choice for
instant information.”
Modern coin series have been updated with new photographs, including the current
Shield Reverse Lincoln cents, National Park quarters, Presidential dollars, Native American
dollars, bullion coins, and commemoratives. Missing-edge-lettering errors are now mentioned
among the Presidential dollars. The National Park quarters section includes a complete roster of
coins to be released through 2021, listed by park and state. Older coins that have additional or
updated photographs include Flying Eagle and Lincoln cents; Shield, Liberty Head, and Buffalo
nickels; Draped Bust and Liberty Seated coinage; and the 1996 Olympic commemoratives.
The “Pre-Federal Issues” section covers colonial and post-colonial coins and tokens as well as
Continental dollars and other early contract issues and patterns. The 65th edition continues to
price these items in the expanded lower- to middle-range grades introduced in the 64th edition.
“Many beginning collectors find Good and Very Good to be affordable jumping-in points for
exploring these popular coins,” said Bowers, author of the Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial
and Early American Coins. “Keen-eyed collectors will notice new information like the expanded
text on John Adams Bolen’s 19th-century copies of the Bar copper.”
The “Bullion” section includes updated information and photographs for the U.S. Mint’s latest
issues, including the America the Beautiful™ five-ounce silver bullion coins, new First Spouse
gold, and Proof platinum.
Mintage figures for all circulating coins and commemoratives have been updated as currently
as possible with official data from the U.S. Mint.
The “Type-Coin Value” charts at the front of each denomination have been removed from the
65th-edition Red Book. “The higher-grade values previously covered in these charts are now
covered in the Professional Edition Red Book, an advanced volume for the more experienced
collector and specialist,” said Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker.
In addition to the 65th-Anniversary Red Book’s nearly 33,000 individual coin prices in up to nine grades
per series, Appendix D showcases the Top 250 Auction Prices for U.S. coins. “We’ve tracked auctions
through early 2011,” said Garrett, who noted a jump of more than $17,000 compared to the 64th
edition’s chart. “Last year’s 250-ranked coin sold for $356,500,” Garrett said. “To make it onto this
year’s list, the 250-ranked coin (a 1921 double eagle) sold for $373,750.” Garrett also noted that
two more individual coins broke the $1 million mark, for a total of 42.
To help guide collectors of high-grade coins and rarities, details from significant auction sales are listed
throughout the Red Book’s coin charts. Coins with new auction-record listings this year include the
Continental dollar, large cents, several Draped Bust and Liberty Seated series, and Liberty Head and
Saint-Gaudens double eagles.
Appendix B, “Collectible Red and Blue Books,” has been expanded with more details. Coverage of
recent collectible Red Books includes the 2011 Boston Numismatic Society Special Edition, currently
valued at $100 in New condition.
The 129 listings in the Red Book’s numismatic bibliography include more than a dozen references
published from 2008 to 2011.
About the Guide Book of United States Coins
A Guide Book of United States Coins is the world’s most popular annual retail
price guide for U.S. coins, tokens, and other numismatic items. More than 22 million
copies have been purchased since 1946, making it one of the best-selling nonfiction
titles in the history of U.S. publishing.
For the 65th edition, more than 140 professional coin dealers, scholars, and other
numismatic experts contributed their knowledge under the direction of Editor Kenneth
Bressett, Valuations Editor Jeff Garrett, and Research Editor Q. David Bowers.
The 65th edition of the Red Book debuts in early April 2011. Members of the American
Numismatic Association may borrow the book for free from the Dwight N. Manley Numismatic
Library. Many public libraries also carry the Red Book in their antiques-and-collectibles sections.
In addition to offering a Large Print Edition and several formats of the regular edition, Whitman is
also publishing a leather-bound Limited Edition (1,000 copies autographed by Bressett).
(known to collectors as the “Red Book”) includes many new features,
plus additions and updates to the book’s 1,900-plus color photographs.
A redesigned title page commemorates the annually published guide reaching
its 65th anniversary. The new edition is available April 2010 in four different
formats. Members of the American Numismatic Association may borrow the
book for free from the Dwight N. Manley Numismatic Library. Many public
libraries also carry the Red Book in their antiques-and-collectibles sections.
Red Book Editor Kenneth Bressett;
Research Editor Q. David Bowers; and
Valuations Editor Jeff Garrett
“Valuations in this year’s Red Book reflect the general state of the market,
throughout the hobby,” said longtime editor Kenneth Bressett. “Rare coins
in exceptional condition continue to hold or increase in value. Many of the
more ordinary items have shown some price weakening, while most low-grade
pieces remain unchanged or in some cases have gone up because of their high
bullion value. Overall, there seem to be bargains to be had throughout the entire
range of American coins now that prices have receded a bit from the overheated
market of recent years.”
Bressett pointed to appendix C (“Bullion Values of Silver and Gold Coins”) as an
indicator of today’s precious-metal trends. The 64th-edition Red Book charted
silver from $8 to $22, and gold from $925 to $1,450. In the 65th edition this
appendix has been doubled in size, charting silver from $16 to $43 and gold
from $800 to $1,875.
Observing today’s rare-coin market, Valuations Editor Jeff Garrett said, “Important,
high-quality coins continue to bring record amounts. Increased bullion prices have lifted
the value of common, low-grade issues, but in general coins with average eye appeal
have softened slightly due to the weak economy. While many collectors and investors
focus on bullion, rare coins offer tremendous value at today’s prices.”
Research Editor Q. David Bowers, commenting on the book’s continuing popularity
(more than 22 million copies have been sold since 1946), noted that “Even in the
Internet age, the Red Book remains solidly the collector’s best and first choice for
instant information.”
Modern coin series have been updated with new photographs, including the current
Shield Reverse Lincoln cents, National Park quarters, Presidential dollars, Native American
dollars, bullion coins, and commemoratives. Missing-edge-lettering errors are now mentioned
among the Presidential dollars. The National Park quarters section includes a complete roster of
coins to be released through 2021, listed by park and state. Older coins that have additional or
updated photographs include Flying Eagle and Lincoln cents; Shield, Liberty Head, and Buffalo
nickels; Draped Bust and Liberty Seated coinage; and the 1996 Olympic commemoratives.
The “Pre-Federal Issues” section covers colonial and post-colonial coins and tokens as well as
Continental dollars and other early contract issues and patterns. The 65th edition continues to
price these items in the expanded lower- to middle-range grades introduced in the 64th edition.
“Many beginning collectors find Good and Very Good to be affordable jumping-in points for
exploring these popular coins,” said Bowers, author of the Whitman Encyclopedia of Colonial
and Early American Coins. “Keen-eyed collectors will notice new information like the expanded
text on John Adams Bolen’s 19th-century copies of the Bar copper.”
The “Bullion” section includes updated information and photographs for the U.S. Mint’s latest
issues, including the America the Beautiful™ five-ounce silver bullion coins, new First Spouse
gold, and Proof platinum.
Mintage figures for all circulating coins and commemoratives have been updated as currently
as possible with official data from the U.S. Mint.
The “Type-Coin Value” charts at the front of each denomination have been removed from the
65th-edition Red Book. “The higher-grade values previously covered in these charts are now
covered in the Professional Edition Red Book, an advanced volume for the more experienced
collector and specialist,” said Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker.
In addition to the 65th-Anniversary Red Book’s nearly 33,000 individual coin prices in up to nine grades
per series, Appendix D showcases the Top 250 Auction Prices for U.S. coins. “We’ve tracked auctions
through early 2011,” said Garrett, who noted a jump of more than $17,000 compared to the 64th
edition’s chart. “Last year’s 250-ranked coin sold for $356,500,” Garrett said. “To make it onto this
year’s list, the 250-ranked coin (a 1921 double eagle) sold for $373,750.” Garrett also noted that
two more individual coins broke the $1 million mark, for a total of 42.
To help guide collectors of high-grade coins and rarities, details from significant auction sales are listed
throughout the Red Book’s coin charts. Coins with new auction-record listings this year include the
Continental dollar, large cents, several Draped Bust and Liberty Seated series, and Liberty Head and
Saint-Gaudens double eagles.
Appendix B, “Collectible Red and Blue Books,” has been expanded with more details. Coverage of
recent collectible Red Books includes the 2011 Boston Numismatic Society Special Edition, currently
valued at $100 in New condition.
The 129 listings in the Red Book’s numismatic bibliography include more than a dozen references
published from 2008 to 2011.
About the Guide Book of United States Coins
A Guide Book of United States Coins is the world’s most popular annual retail
price guide for U.S. coins, tokens, and other numismatic items. More than 22 million
copies have been purchased since 1946, making it one of the best-selling nonfiction
titles in the history of U.S. publishing.
For the 65th edition, more than 140 professional coin dealers, scholars, and other
numismatic experts contributed their knowledge under the direction of Editor Kenneth
Bressett, Valuations Editor Jeff Garrett, and Research Editor Q. David Bowers.
The 65th edition of the Red Book debuts in early April 2011. Members of the American
Numismatic Association may borrow the book for free from the Dwight N. Manley Numismatic
Library. Many public libraries also carry the Red Book in their antiques-and-collectibles sections.
In addition to offering a Large Print Edition and several formats of the regular edition, Whitman is
also publishing a leather-bound Limited Edition (1,000 copies autographed by Bressett).
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