Best-Selling Annual Guide Prices 7,900 Coins
The 72nd edition of the hobby’s Guide Book of United States Coins (popularly known as the “Red Book”) will debut at the Whitman Baltimore Coin and Collectibles Expo on March 22, 2018. It features new and extensively updated content reflecting the current market for collectible coins. The Red Book can be pre-ordered online (including at Whitman.com) in several formats. After the Baltimore Expo it will be available from booksellers and hobby shops nationwide.
Coin collectors have used the Red Book to value their collections since the 1st edition was published in 1946. Editor Emeritus Kenneth Bressett has noted the grassroots nature of the guide, and the way collectors regard it as a book that belongs to the entire hobby: “The Red Book is a reliable standard reference written not only for collectors, but by collectors. Through their constant vigilance and input, hobbyists contribute to the Red Book’s consistency and reflection of market trends.”
At 464 pages the new 72nd edition prices nearly 8,000 entries in up to 9 grades each, with more than 32,000 retail valuations in total. “The Red Book gives a deep, wide-ranging look at today’s retail prices,” said Senior Editor Jeff Garrett. “We draw on the experience of more than 100 active coin dealers nationwide.”
Research Editor Q. David Bowers said, “The Red Book is a single-volume library. It gives collectors valuable historical information for every U.S. coin series, from half cents up through gold $20 coins, and more.” These are illustrated by 2,000 photographs, including enlarged close-ups of rare die varieties.
The latest coins from the United States Mint—Lincoln cents, Jefferson nickels, Roosevelt dimes, America the Beautiful quarters, Kennedy half dollars, Native American dollars, commemorative coins, and government-packaged coin sets—are kept up to date.
The 72nd-edition Red Book includes illustrations of the Mint’s new 2018 Centennial of World War I silver medals honoring the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Service, and Coast Guard, plus the World War I silver dollar and the new program of Breast Cancer Awareness commemoratives, including, struck for the first time ever, a pink gold $5 coin.
The 72nd edition covers TK [Last year it was 94; this year possibly fewer because we condensed bullion; but we also added some medals] additional new issues compared to the 71st edition, and TK [last year it was 11] new coin sets. Mintages have been updated across the board using the latest numismatic research and government data.
The 72nd edition continues a section that debuted with the 70th, covering foreign coins that circulated as legal tender in the British American colonies and early United States. This section includes photographs, history, and pricing for collectible Spanish-American, Dutch, French, and English coins dating from the 1550s to the 1820s.
Expansions and updates are also seen in the appendices. The appendix on modern U.S. Mint medals covers more than 40 medals and sets, now including the American Revolution Bicentennial medals, National Wildlife Refuge System centennial medals, silver Presidential medals, and others.
As in past years, collectors will benefit from the Red Book’s recent auction records provided for significant rare coins. Listed throughout the charts are TK [last year was 194] notable auction results. Combined with the listed retail prices, the auction data help advanced collectors understand the modern market for high-end rarities.
In addition, the appendix of the “Top 250 U.S. Coin Prices Realized at Auction” has been fully updated. Since the last edition 2 more coins have broken the $1 million mark, for a new total of 95. The coin at #250, a 1794 silver dollar, sold for $4,200 more than #250 in last year’s edition.
In a positive measure of the health of the hobby and ongoing numismatic research, the Red Book’s bibliography includes 28 standard references published within the past five years.
The cover of the spiral-bound 72nd edition shows a mix of classic and modern American coins: a 1792 Birch cent, a 2017 Boys Town commemorative silver dollar, and an 1855-S Liberty Seated half dollar.
All versions and formats of the 72nd-edition Red Book will be available at its national debut at the Whitman Publishing booth during the Baltimore Expo, March 22–25, 2018, at the Baltimore Convention Center.
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. 24 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 72nd edition, more than 140 professional coin dealers, scholars, and other numismatic experts contributed their knowledge under the direction of Senior Editor Jeff Garrett, Research Editor Q. David Bowers, and Editor Emeritus Kenneth Bressett.
The 72nd edition of the Red Book is available online and at bookstores and hobby shops nationwide. In addition to offering a Large Print Edition and several formats of the regular edition (hardcover; spiralbound softcover; and spiralbound hardcover), Whitman Publishing is also taking pre-orders for the leather-bound Limited Edition (250 copies autographed by Bressett). A 1,504-page expanded Deluxe Edition, popularly known as MEGA RED™, will also debut at the Whitman Baltimore Expo. For more information and to order, visit Whitman Publishing at www.Whitman.com.
About Whitman Publishing
Whitman Publishing is the world’s leading producer of numismatic reference books, supplies, and products to display and store coins and paper money. The company’s high-quality books educate readers in the rich, colorful history of American and world coinage and currency, and teach how to build great a collection. Archival-quality Whitman folders, albums, cases, and other holders keep collectibles safe and allow them to be shown off to friends and family.
Whitman Publishing is the Official Supplier of the American Numismatic Association. As a benefit of membership in the ANA, members can borrow the Red Book (and other Whitman books) for free from the Association’s library, and also receive 10% off all Whitman purchases. Details are at www.money.org.
A Guide Book of United States Coins, 72nd edition
464 pages
Full color
By R.S. Yeoman; senior editor Jeff Garrett; research editor Q. David Bowers; editor emeritus Kenneth Bressett.
$15.95 spiralbound
$17.95 hardcover
$19.95 spiralbound hardcover
$29.95 Large Print Edition
$49.95 expanded Deluxe Edition (1,504 pages)
$99.95 leather-bound Limited Edition (250 copies)