2026 Red Book
DoubleDime
Posts: 644 ✭✭✭
Today I received my hard cover copy. I was thinking that the cover would be the same texture but its smooth and shiny like some other Whitman books I have. The paper back copy is like the Red Book Guide Series.
2
Comments
How's it different (besides prices) than older versions?
A most noticeable difference this year is the new GSID column....(Greysheet Identification) ...representing catalog numbers you can locate on the greysheet webpage for more coin images and details about pricing/auctions...etc.
So much new in the 2026 Red Book, including larger format (6x9). Also, all of the pricing has been replaced with Greysheet-based (CPG) values. California Fractional Gold added. Gobrecht Dollars section completely revised, and many more things I cannot think of off the top of my head. I'd argue this is the biggest update to Red Book in 78 years!
Jeff Garrett and I started a series of podcasts to discuss everything under the hood for the Red Book. Please check it out:
video: https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLzllioRcLSGZUs0LNtdlbOPh4W2jhktiW
audio-only: https://open.spotify.com/show/6LwiQxCtGuAC1Tr7L2S5Yl?si=wA13lsXqTuqMPSiQPQMAkA
Whitman Brands: President/CEO (www.greysheet.com; www.whitman.com)
PNG: Executive Director (www.pngdealers.org)
I saw one last night at a coin club meeting. Ken Bressett commented that he found the new size to be a bit disconcerting because it does not fit on the shelf with all his other Redbooks, and I am sure that he has every variation ever made!
I have one on the way, due Monday. I thought it was time for a newer version since mine run from 1966-1987.
Fortunately, my bookshelf is plenty tall. Sooner or later I may need the large print version.
Sometimes, change is necessary. Wish we could have kept it the same size, but the publishing world today is geared towards the "trade paper" format which is standardized at 6x9. Book stores, etc much prefer this size. The old Red Book was an anachronism in this manner. But there are many benefits to the larger size including our ability to include the GSID catalog number which we believe will become the industry standard. All Whitman books going forward (100 Greatest, Cherry Picker, etc) will feature this numbering system.
Whitman Brands: President/CEO (www.greysheet.com; www.whitman.com)
PNG: Executive Director (www.pngdealers.org)
Are silver eagle mintages in this Red Book
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Yes.
Whitman Brands: President/CEO (www.greysheet.com; www.whitman.com)
PNG: Executive Director (www.pngdealers.org)
Just ordered mine, first Red Book for me since 1993.
Awesome! Thank you. I think you will really love it.
Whitman Brands: President/CEO (www.greysheet.com; www.whitman.com)
PNG: Executive Director (www.pngdealers.org)
I get mine Thursday and really looking forward to it. I understand that the short text only grading descriptions at the beginning of each series have been removed. I know some will say that any missing information is a loss, but those descriptions always seemed to me as a relic of decades ago when grading was much less critical. In recent years I've found those descriptions to be too short and vague to be really useful, in fact I can see them being confusing and even misleading to more inexperienced collectors
Got mine at the KC show today. Can look at it without a magnifying glass
Lafayette Grading Set
I got my 26 RB and I am enjoying it. Though, I must admit that there wasn't much of a write up for Early Half dimes, quarters or halves. I noticed this as I collect those series. I hope that the 27 edition has more of a write up on these series.
Other than that, its a must have book in my opinion for all level of collectors!
Ben The CoinGeek's done a review
https://youtu.be/Q99MGSimsz0?si=iHJaaNl2HrtVVc8O
The GSID in the new cherrypickers guides drives me crazy, just saying.
God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.
Print jumps out much like the Forums April 1st format change interuption.
I liked having all 75+ Red Books lined up looking nice and neat, but change had to come. Unfortunately the mint has issued so much “modern junk” that it all couldn’t fit in the old format.
The British counterpart to the Red Book solved the problem a few years ago by listing the post 1970 decimal coins in a separate book. The U.S. does not have a good breaking point like that, and probably one of the other of the hypothetical, old or new stuff books, would have been a poor seller.
My 2026 Redbook is in the mail.system
Ususlly when I buy a new edition I gibe the old Redbook to a freind or a new collector. However this year I will keep the 2025 edition
Thanks for thie info on this threaf.
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
I just watched this and there are some great comments and criticisms. This year's edition is radically different and we expect to ruffle some feathers but we are definitely listening. Jeff and I are going to work on a podcast tomorrow to cover Ben's feedback, and more. Thanks!
John
Whitman Brands: President/CEO (www.greysheet.com; www.whitman.com)
PNG: Executive Director (www.pngdealers.org)
OK got my yesterday and here's some 1st impressions:
Likes
Not sures
Dislikes
Things missing that I can understand why, I don't collect, but I wish the information could be included
Of course all is IMHO, YMMV, etc etc.
Overall a good effort and good upgrade
Just got the 2026 RED BOOK today. It is a little bigger and I do like that it shows 66 & 67 values. I plan to keep the 2025 RED BOOK and not give it away like I've done with all my previous issues. 👍🙂
USN & USAF retired 1971-1993
Successful Transactions with more than 100 Members
I received my copy in the mail today. It is a hardcover version.
Nothing is as expensive as free money.
Mine arrived yesterday. I ordered the hardback edition and look forward to perusing it more in the coming days and weeks.
Jeff and I just posted a podcast with Ben "The Coin Geek". Was really fun. You can watch it on Youtube or stream audio on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/33XbLPoabEHpWjKWwhPYkf?si=d4qcBeptT1-dI9_figlPTQ
Whitman Brands: President/CEO (www.greysheet.com; www.whitman.com)
PNG: Executive Director (www.pngdealers.org)
OK the more I think about this the more I see it as a bit of an issue - let me explain why...
I think the Red Book's value to the hobby is and has been for decades it's usefulness as a Numismatic Reference more than its being just a price guide. Prices are just too volatile for a yearly price guide to be useful. But as a general reference the Red Book shines. And to have that reference information be close to the listing it describes, just, imho, makes it more useful as a reference for those coins.
Also, in that same category - I think the use of QR codes should be expanded. Yes I know a lot of us on here have been collecting long before most of today's Tech Bros were so young they had to be watched that they didn't swallow pennies never mind collect them. But QR codes can be very useful. I'd love to see them extended to each series - maybe even some specific important dates. And also have the info on those QR codes be even more details than what's in the book. Right now it seems like it's used more as a "summary page". To have it reference things like detailed grading and other MegaRed/Coin Encyclopedia info in the future would be nice
Again IMHO YMMV etc etc
Just got the Large Print Edition from Barnes and Noble today.
Just placed my order for a paperback 2026 edition.
NFL: Buffalo Bills & Green Bay Packers
US Dimes: 1793-1916 (G-04 to F-12)
Latin America: Early milled 1 reales
I like the double ring binding, it's better than just one wire running through...
I love the double wire edge too. You can just lay the book open and not have to worry about the page flipping over
Lafayette Grading Set
In looking over the prices, lots of changes in modern series in sub-MS grades, prices going up and down, and I suspect some adjustment has been made to more realistic prices.
Noticed no pricing on the old commems and all. No big deal, just noticed it is all
Mine will arrive tomorrow looking forward to just sitting on my balcony coffee in hand and NHL hockey on the TV in the background reading my book. Will be sunny and nice all weekend after a long winter.
NFL: Buffalo Bills & Green Bay Packers
US Dimes: 1793-1916 (G-04 to F-12)
Latin America: Early milled 1 reales
it's there for sure
Whitman Brands: President/CEO (www.greysheet.com; www.whitman.com)
PNG: Executive Director (www.pngdealers.org)
No specs for classic U.S gold in the 2026, 79th, edition. What's the reason for that?
I can always look in an older copy but it seems like that's pretty basic info to include in The Red Book for collectors.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
It's there. A lot of the information/images that were spread across the listings of a series are now at the beginning of that series or sometimes even the denomination. I am under the opinion that this presentation of the information may not be optimal, but the information is there.
Yeah, I found it finally
Not a great location IMHO
Glad it's there but if it ain't broke don't fix
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Decided to replace the 51st edition I had been using when working on my Dansco Washington Quarters book. Sounds like I picked a good year to update.