Books

Collector Demand and Growing Interest in Die Varieties Drive Success

The sixth edition, volume II, of the Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties is making numismatic history as it approaches a sellout of its first print run. The release of this highly anticipated coin guide at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Pittsburgh from August 8 to 12, 2023, has created a buzz among collectors and dealers alike. The overwhelming demand has prompted Whitman Publishing to order a second print run, ensuring that collectors will continue to have access to this invaluable resource without interruption.

At the ANA show, sales were brisk but limited to one copy per customer due to the high demand. Whitman’s vice president of sales, Dawn Burbank, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “The Cherrypickers’ Guide was one of our best sellers in Pittsburgh. Collectors and dealers bought every advance copy we had, and thousands more have shipped from our main inventory.”

One of the driving forces behind the success of this latest edition is the renowned coin dealer Larry Briggs, a die-variety specialist. Briggs served as the volume editor for the sixth edition, meticulously updating every entry and collaborating with other experts to incorporate new coins into the guide.

As part of the ANA’s “Money Talks” educational programming, Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker presented a talk titled “Cherrypicking Rare Coins in 2023 and Beyond.” During his presentation, Tucker highlighted several factors contributing to the growing interest in die varieties among collectors:

1. Hot Coin Market: The overall coin market has experienced substantial growth over the past few years, igniting interest in all aspects of numismatics.
2. Internet Accessibility: The internet has connected collectors worldwide, providing unprecedented access to information and high-resolution coin images.
3. Resurgence in Book Publishing: A resurgence in book publishing and easy-to-use websites have empowered collectors to share knowledge and connect with like-minded enthusiasts.
4. High Attendance at Coin Shows: Large coin shows, such as the ANA World’s Fair of Money, have witnessed record attendance numbers, attracting numerous active dealers.
5. Competitive Registry Sets: Competitive registry sets offered by PCGS and NGC have fostered friendly competition among collectors, leading to increased demand and excitement for specific coins.

Tucker also shared his observations on the die-variety market, including the deletion of more than two dozen Barber dime varieties from the fifth edition due to waning collector interest and the emergence of gold coin die varieties as more significant contributors to coin pricing.

He emphasized the value of hobby clubs and organizations, such as the Liberty Seated Collectors Club and the Barber Coin Collectors Society, for their contributions to die-variety research.

In the sixth edition, volume II, most of the new die varieties are among Roosevelt dimes, Liberty Seated quarters, and Washington quarters. Looking ahead to volume III in 2024, collectors can anticipate entirely new chapters on Bust half dollars and an abundance of new die variety listings among Liberty Seated half dollars, Franklin half dollars, Morgan silver dollars, Peace dollars, and U.S./Philippine die varieties of 1903–1945.

While some die varieties, such as half dimes, twenty-cent pieces, trade dollars, and classic commemoratives, may be less popular these days, there are still new varieties to explore for dedicated collectors.

The 320-page spiralbound-hardcover Cherrypickers’ Guide is available for $39.95 online, including at Whitman.com, and can be found in bookstores nationwide.

About the Cherrypickers’ Guide:

The Cherrypickers’ Guide, authored by Bill Fivaz and Larry Briggs, assists collectors in identifying rare and valuable coin varieties through close-up photographs and text descriptions. This latest volume features more than 440 die varieties, including nearly 80 new additions, across various coin series, making it an indispensable resource for coin enthusiasts. Bill Fivaz, a highly respected authority on numismatic errors and die varieties, and volume editor Larry Briggs, a well-known dealer, author, and educator, have collaborated to create a comprehensive guide that reflects the evolving landscape of coin collecting.

Attention coin enthusiasts and collectors! The highly anticipated ninth edition of Mega Red, the Deluxe Edition of the Guide Book of United States Coins, is now available for sale. This comprehensive numismatic guide, boasting a whopping 1,504 pages, is a treasure trove of information that delves deep into the world of U.S. coinage, offering updates and revisions across various coin series.

What sets the ninth edition of Mega Red apart is its expanded study of quarter eagle gold coins, the $2.50 denomination that was issued from 1796 to 1929. Over 178 pages, every type, date, and mintmark of these coveted gold coins is meticulously examined. From history and illustrated grading standards to mintage information, strike characteristics, and collectible die varieties, this edition leaves no stone unturned. Whether you’re an experienced collector or a newcomer to the hobby, this in-depth analysis is bound to enrich your understanding of quarter eagle gold coins.

Spanning from the Capped Bust coins of the 1790s to the Indian Head coinage just prior to the Great Depression, Mega Red covers all eight major quarter eagle types, providing a historical journey through these fascinating periods of U.S. coinage.

Mega Red’s content extends beyond quarter eagles, featuring more than a dozen appendices that explore specialized subjects within the numismatic realm. These include patterns, error and misstruck coins, counterfeits, American medals and tokens, the American Arts Commemorative Series gold medallions, and even a detailed study of So-Called Dollars contributed by numismatists Jeff Shevlin and William D. Hyder. Additionally, the book offers insights into the United States Mint’s upcoming coinage programs, allowing collectors to stay ahead of the curve.

Presented in a larger format measuring 7 x 10 inches, Mega Red boasts a staggering 1,040 pages more than the regular edition, making it five times bigger overall. With over 9,000 items priced across up to 13 grades each, along with 50,000 individual values and 15,000 auction records, this guide is a collector’s dream. The inclusion of thousands of full-color images, including many new to this edition, enhances the visual experience and aids in coin identification and appreciation.

From colonial times to the modern era, Mega Red covers a wide spectrum of American coinage. Encompassing half cents through $20 gold double eagles, bullion, commemoratives, Proof and Mint sets, error coins, tokens, medals, and more, this guide is a comprehensive resource for both seasoned collectors and newcomers to the world of numismatics.

The editorial team behind Mega Red is a lineup of esteemed experts in the field, with Q. David Bowers as Senior Editor, Jeff Garrett as Valuations Editor, and Kenneth Bressett as Editor Emeritus. The guide also features contributions from over 120 numismatists, bringing together a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

A standout feature of the ninth edition is the 2023 Coin Market Report by Jeff Garrett. In his report, Garrett expresses a positive outlook on the rare-coin market, highlighting the incredible information available to today’s collectors and how Mega Red exemplifies this wealth of knowledge.

Mega Red’s legacy of expanding focus on specific coin series continues with this edition. From copper half cents and large cents to nickel five-cent pieces, dimes, quarter dollars, half dollars, and more, Mega Red consistently evolves to cater to collectors’ interests.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector, an aspiring numismatist, or simply intrigued by the world of coins, the ninth edition of Mega Red promises to be an invaluable addition to your collection and a gateway to a deeper understanding of the rich history and artistry behind U.S. coinage. Order your copy today and embark on a numismatic journey like no other.

Numismatic enthusiasts, collectors, and researchers gathered at the American Numismatic Association World’s Fair of Money in Pittsburgh from August 8th to 12th, 2023, witnessed a significant moment in the world of coin collecting as the sixth edition, volume II, of the esteemed Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties was unveiled. This unveiling marked not only a celebration of numismatic diversity but also paved the way for the anticipation of the final volume of the sixth edition set to make its debut in 2024. Coin enthusiasts have even more to look forward to as the book’s editors have invited collectors, dealers, and researchers to contribute their insights on U.S./Philippine coins for inclusion in the upcoming sixth edition, volume III.

The forthcoming volume III of the Cherrypickers’ Guide is set to encompass a broad spectrum of die varieties, ranging from Capped Bust, Liberty Seated, and Barber half dollars to Liberty Walking, Franklin, and Kennedy half dollars. Beyond that, it will delve into trade dollars, Morgan and Peace silver dollars, modern dollar coins, gold coins (ranging from dollars to double eagles), classic commemoratives, and silver, gold, and platinum bullion. This installment will introduce several new chapters, with one of the most exciting additions being the inclusion of die varieties from coins minted for the Philippines under U.S. sovereignty.

The historical context surrounding U.S./Philippine coins adds an intriguing layer to the numismatic landscape. The United States gained control of the Philippine Islands in 1899, following the conclusion of the Spanish-American War. In 1901, a civil administration replaced the American military government, leading to the creation of a new coinage system that harmonized with older Spanish coin issues while maintaining a one-to-two exchange rate with U.S. currency. U.S./Philippine coins were manufactured from 1903 to 1945, featuring various denominations from bronze half centavos to silver pesos. Notably, this coinage also included a set of commemoratives released in 1936.

The Guide Book of United States Coins, commonly referred to as the “Red Book” among numismatists, has consistently recognized the significance of U.S./Philippine coins in America’s numismatic history. The 77th edition of the Red Book highlights popular die varieties such as the 1917-S, 7 Over 6, one-centavo overdate; the 1909-S, S Over S, silver peso with a repunched mintmark; the 1934-M, Recut 1, five-centavos; and the intriguing 1928-M twenty-centavos muled with the reverse of a 1928 five-centavos.

The editors of the Cherrypickers’ Guide warmly welcome input from passionate collectors, dealers, and researchers regarding U.S./Philippine die varieties. To contribute to this monumental endeavor, individuals are encouraged to send their recommendations via email to cherrypickers@whitman.com. Submissions should ideally include comprehensive information along with high-quality, clear photographs to aid in the assessment process.

For those eager to be part of this endeavor, the deadline for submitting recommendations is set for October 1, 2023. With the Cherrypickers’ Guide continuously evolving and expanding its horizons, the numismatic community can anticipate an enriching addition to their coin-collecting journey in the upcoming volume III, which promises to bring U.S./Philippine coins into the spotlight of rare die varieties.

Nicholas J. Bruyer has accomplished a remarkable feat with his beautifully illustrated new history book, U.S. Treasury Notes 1812–1865. Bruyer’s work brings fresh understanding to a numismatic subject that is often merely summarized, but which deserves this level of careful attention and creative exposition.

At Whitman Publishing we’ve explored just the surface of America’s Treasury Notes. Chapter 21 of Q. David Bowers’s Whitman Encyclopedia of U.S. Paper Money gives a nine-page overview of the subject. In Arthur and Ira Friedberg’s Guide Book of United States Paper Money there’s a six-page section on “Treasury Notes of the War of 1812.” The subject is summarized even more briefly with two pages in Kenneth Bressett’s popular Guide Book of United States Currency. Various other Whitman books touch lightly on Treasury Notes, often as a precursor to much more in-depth discussion of state-chartered bank notes and later money.

Now, with the assistance of Stack’s Bowers Publishing, Nicholas Bruyer has given U.S. Treasury Notes the spotlight they deserve. He presents them in a comprehensive manner, colorfully illustrated and rich in historical narrative. Bruyer explores the use of these notes not only as investment vehicles—employed by the government to stave off bankruptcy—but also as an early form of national currency. U.S. Treasury Notes 1812–1865 is more than a catalog; it’s a well-reasoned study that offers new perspectives in American financial and economic history.

It’s true that for many of these notes fewer than a half dozen specimens are known to still exist. But collectors love to learn about interesting specialties, even if the collectibles themselves live mainly in the realm of museum holdings and expensive personal collections. Pattern coins, famous federal super-rarities, private and territorial gold pieces, and other rarefied specialties come to mind. For those hobbyists who are able to actively collect such treasures, enjoy the hunt! Everyone else can immerse themselves in well-written, informative, handsomely illustrated books. Nicholas Bruyer’s U.S. Treasury Notes 1812–1865 fills that need very nicely. Because the era of U.S. Treasury Notes, from the War of 1812 through the American Civil War, is so fascinating, Bruyer’s book holds great interest for numismatists—those history buffs who study money—but also for everyone who wants a deeper understanding of our nation’s early formative decades.

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Book reviewer Dennis Tucker is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, a Fellow of the Academy of Political Science, and secretary pro tem of the Rittenhouse Society. As publisher at Whitman Publishing since 2004, he has worked on hundreds of books on numismatics, banking and economic history, and other nonfiction subjects. He has written about paper money for hobby publications including his column “From the Colonel’s Desk,” and is the 2013 recipient of the Society of Paper Money Collectors’ Forrest Daniel Award for Literary Excellence. Since 2016 Tucker has served the U.S. Treasury Department as the numismatic specialist of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.

Whitman Publishing is set to release an enthralling autobiography that offers readers a glimpse into the extraordinary life of famed artifacts collector and dealer, Kenneth W. Rendell. Titled Safeguarding History: Trailblazing Adventures Inside the Worlds of Collecting and Forging History, this 328-page memoir promises to take readers on a captivating journey through Rendell’s remarkable career. Often referred to as the “Indiana Jones” of the art and collecting world, Rendell’s adventures span the globe, and his book is set to debut nationwide on October 3, 2023.

For decades, Kenneth W. Rendell has traversed the far corners of the world in pursuit of some of history’s most significant and iconic artifacts. From ancient relics to Renaissance masterpieces, Rendell’s expertise extends to rare manuscripts, historical artifacts, and autographs. He has built a reputation as a master collector and dealer, known for debunking historical forgeries and solving perplexing mysteries.

Among his notable accomplishments, Rendell played a key role in debunking the infamous Hitler Diaries in the 1980s. He also aided in resolving the Mormon Church’s “White Salamander Letter” murders and exposed the so-called Jack the Ripper diary as a fraud. With an impressive portfolio to his name, Rendell orchestrated the creation of Bill and Melinda Gates’s personal library and has appraised, bought, and sold major archives, including those of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Frederick Law Olmsted, and General George Patton, among others. His legacy extends to a staggering collection of 12 million uncataloged artifacts from the Northern Pacific Railroad.

Rendell’s expertise in World War II history is equally lauded. He is the founder and creator of the International Museum of World War II, and his profound understanding of the Home Front, black ops, propaganda, espionage, and the experiences of ordinary soldiers and service members is unparalleled. His book World War II: Saving the Reality” published by Whitman Publishing in 2009, was hailed as a work of magnificence and importance by the OSS Society Journal.

In Safeguarding History, Rendell delves into his early days as a prodigy coin dealer during the 1950s and early 1960s. His connections and friendships with luminaries of that era, such as Q. David Bowers, Kenneth Bressett, Walter Breen, Grover Criswell, and George Fuld, led to the founding of the Rittenhouse Society and other fruitful collaborations. Readers will be treated to thrilling accounts of Rendell’s adventures while hunting down coins in the Caribbean and Europe, where he encountered and interacted with renowned dealers, collectors, and researchers.

The memoir is not just a recollection of historical artifacts and events; it also provides an intimate look into Rendell’s personal encounters with some of the world’s most prominent figures. From Malcolm Forbes and Clint Eastwood to Tom Hanks and various Supreme Court justices, Rendell’s stories are peppered with encounters with Patti Reagan, Otto Kerner, Bill Gates, John Eisenhower, Ted Kennedy, and even a cross-country meeting with Harry Truman when he was just 20 years old.

Apart from being a thrilling recounting of Rendell’s adventures in the world of collecting, Safeguarding History also serves as a personal reflection on overcoming challenges and succeeding in both business and life. Doris Kearns Goodwin, who provides the book’s foreword, praises Rendell as a master storyteller. She aptly captures the essence of the memoir, describing it as an exploration of a world filled with adventures, mysteries, sensational hoaxes, thefts, and even murders.

Beyond his pursuits in antiquities, Rendell’s zest for life extends to impressive sporting achievements. Readers will be awed by his passion for extreme sports, from ski racing in his 30s to helicopter skiing in his 40s, Hawaiian windsurfing in his 50s, and snowboarding well into his 80s.

Renowned historian Ken Burns hails Kenneth W. Rendell as one of the greatest collectors of historical artifacts, emphasizing how his work humanizes and personalizes the scope and promise of human endeavor.

With its October 2023 release date approaching, Safeguarding History is poised to become a must-read for history enthusiasts, art aficionados, and collectors eager to partake in Kenneth W. Rendell’s extraordinary journey through time and across the globe. This trailblazing autobiography promises to be a riveting tribute to the world of art, history, and the indomitable spirit of a true adventurer.