On the 13th anniversary of publishing The Banknote Book (BNB), CDN Publishing is pleased to announce that its editor, Owen W. Linzmayer, has recently been hired as the Product Manager to oversee the most comprehensive catalog of world paper money in existence. Linzmayer has extensive experience writing for national computer magazines, has authored many technology books including the best-selling Apple Confidential, and served as the editor of the International Bank Note Society Journal.
In 2011, Linzmayer began publishing The Banknote Book with an initial release of 10 country-specific chapters. From these humble beginnings, the catalog has swelled to over 320 chapters (and growing), with more than 9,600 pages covering almost 100,000 types and varieties, with a steady stream of new material and revisions released every week. Available in digital form via subscription on greysheet.com, The Banknote Book is now widely regarded as the new standard reference for the hobby, and a must-have for all serious collectors and dealers of paper money.
In 2021, after a decade of self-publishing, The Banknote Book was acquired by CDN Publishing, long-time publisher of the Greysheet and Greensheet, the definitive pricing newsletters for United States coins and currency, respectively. Linzmayer has remained actively involved as editor of the catalog post-acquisition, and now as a full-time employee, Linzmayer can focus his passion and talents towards the enormous task of cataloging the entire history of international banknotes.
Last November, CDN Publishing acquired the historic Whitman Publishing, combining CDN’s pricing and data strengths of Greysheet, Greensheet, and The Banknote Book with Whitman’s numismatic power-house publication lineup of Red Book, Blue Book, Red Book Series, Cherrypicker’s Guide, 100 Greatest, and more, offering a comprehensive and intellectually rich coverage of collectibles, and thus creating significant growth opportunities. The combined companies have been rebranded as Whitman Brands.
"The recent acquisition of Whitman opens up exciting new possibilities for improving The Banknote Book even further," says Linzmayer. "As an employee, I join a staff that has a proven track record of providing essential tools and reference materials to the broader numismatic community. I look forward to working with the staff and our large network of avid contributors to continue improving the catalog with accurate, detailed information that adds value to all subscribers around the world."
About Whitman Brands
Formed from the 2023 merger of the numismatic publishing powerhouses of CDN and Whitman, Whitman Brands, the entity’s new name, combines the revered titles of Red Book, Blue Book, 100 Greatest, Cherrypicker’s Guides, and an expansive line of folders, albums, and supplies, that have long dominated the retail landscape with the pricing and data-rich expertise of Greysheet, Greensheet, CPG, CDN Exchange, and the Banknote Book.
Whitman Brands offers a comprehensive and rich coverage of collectibles, literature, cataloging and pricing, which embraces the heritage of numismatics and seeks to enrich the lives of all coin and paper money enthusiasts. As North America’s leading producer of coin and currency shows, Whitman Expos and its three industry leading events in Baltimore further enhance the brand portfolio and expand the company’s national reach.
Well that’s ironic. I thought for a minute that CDN/Whitman bought up coinnews.net, and then abandoned it…
All is well now. Congratulations CDN & Whitman! Banknotes are big business. My regular FRN’s, not so much!?!
I’ll support them for the Cherrypickers guide books, that great Modern book(thanks E1), and all of those Bowers books, among others.
Repeat photo below, but hey? No, I don’t work for them lol…
Sixth sense, perhaps? Or is it six pence? And is there a note for that?
“I see coin collecting people.”
Whew, finally a new article. Rick, your comment about “the Morgan might even upgrade to +, or a full grade point if you are willing to crack, er out and let them see the coin” got me thinking. Maybe someone has done this already, but I would think there would be good money for whoever invents the slabcracker, to safely crack open a slab and get to the tasty morsel inside without damaging it. Or perhaps instead of a nutcracker device it’s a large lever hole punch with adjustable diameter that cuts the plastic around the coin like a bolt… Read more »
The “slabcracker” … that’s funny. Maybe you could pitch this device to Ronco.
I think he’s onto something! In a nutshell that is….
The coingeek, he’s easy to listen to, below…
I have used this exact tool that he uses, as well as a pair of side cutters(dykes)..And yes, I’ve cracked out PF-70 Liberty Spouses(for a Subset sale(s) years back)…
E1, new article..What’s your crackout method?
Rick, I’ve cracked out many coins from holders. Most were 69’s, a few 68’s!! It’s NOT hard at all. I use a hammer. I place a corner of the slab on my chopping block and I hit the opposite, diagonal corner until it cracks it open, sometimes I place a cloth/rag over it so I don’t get any plastic chips in one of my eye(s). Use safety goggles if available. You just never know where plastic may wind up. I make sure I have cotton gloves on and I carefully get the coin out. The first time or two I… Read more »
I too, like the “Slabcracker” terminology, lol!!. Might want to Trademark that!!
Yes AK, I’ve seen the hammer method. I think the pliers are ‘newer school’? Except I learned the pliers crack in 2010, not exactly new? Mine were mostly -69 cracks with the Spouse coins for the 4 coin sets. I’m still thinking on the Lib/Brit submission-open or not? I’m going to wait to submit anyway, as they will be getting thousands of Gold and Silver coins/medals in the next few weeks I would guess. I’m glad that you finally got yours after 3 months! I’m excited about the graded ones coming, and I’m still nervous. I don’t want any excuses… Read more »
Rick,
Your comment’s final question left me scratching my noggin. What and why would the Mint be replacing in the context of those customer returns?
Probably not the best english/message on my part above, so here goes, and I could fail again!.. I’m projecting my fear/speculation that the Mint will replace the returned coins(like they ‘normally’ would do), due to unsatisfied slabbers, or everyday customers not getting their “satisfactory” coins. And as a result, the Mint revealing that they have hundreds, if not thousands more coins “in the back room” ready for prompt replacement? Hence, a much higher Mintage figure than what we see today. Unless of course, they destroy the “unsatisfactory” returned coins, and restoring the same Mintage figures as the posted figures?(which would… Read more »
Rick, I think the Mint does in fact produce more coins than the product limit, figuring in a certain percent return. This would explain the several overages so far this year. Or they’re just superbad at counting and accounting. Perhaps all three?
There have been so many errors with inventory that I think it’s got to be incompetence!
And for no limits or closed sales, after it’s “unavailable”, they must keep some extras stashed away. How else to explain the Cyber Monday Vault sale?
I have wondered about this. Do you mint LESS than sold with the idea that several will be returned or canceled? Or do you mint MORE for quick replacements? Of course, Rick’s age-old question – what do you DO with the returns? Sell them or melt them? Based on the Mint’s seeming actions on other returns, my guess would be SELL, SELL, SELL!!!
Rick, Many thanks for your extensive answer to my question; that is indeed a truly comprehensive and clearly understandable explanation! My answer to your own question in return is one I can’t help but believe will unfortunately (and sadly so, my friend) not do much in the way of allaying your likely already more than sufficient fears. I am of the considered opinion that coins returned to the Mint for whatever reason other than obvious damage or disfigurement but rather for reasons of lower than desired grading or cc issues are in fact shipped out again to fulfill back-orders and/or… Read more »
Thanks, I have had a few “recycled” experiences firsthand and it is not fun. That always seemed to happen after purchasing weeks or months after release, or the ‘remind me’ 2nds. Now it’s first day clicking just to be safe(but no guarantee of the ideal coin either)…It will be interesting to see how things develop with this offering. Stay tuned is all we can do at this point…
I’m working on having it both ways, but it’s not going as planned my friend!
There’s a rumor the technical wizards of South Korea are developing a far more sophisticated version of a slab opener, the Decapsulator. In fact, they’ve even brought some experts from the Paris Guillotine Museum in to work on it with them.
Rick,
So I guess you’re not an “influencer”. It is of course very commendable that you’ve chosen the high road, although from what I’ve been able to gather there is in fact some good money to be made hawking anything and everything on social media!
I can only at this time, decode your message to me as a compliment right here on social media. So thank you for that!
You’re very welcome, Rick! Also, I think it’s always prudent to order coins from the Mint when they are first released to avoid getting any rejected returns.
Never left a box unopened and never did a slab crack our. I’m just too curious in the first case and not enough expertise in grading to know when a coin is under graded in the second.
The Mint’s summer release schedule is nailed down now, with an August 29 date for the Uncirculated set. The fall release schedule is still up in the air.
I’m only in for the Buffalo, the Silver Proof Set, and the S Silver Eagle. It should be a quiet summer after a busy (and expensive) winter and spring.
Reb,
That appears to be a great lineup and a very impressive selection. Good choices!
Major D,
Appreciate the update; looks like it’s time to make some very big decisions indeed!