Whitman® announces the upcoming release of the all-new third volume of the sixth edition of Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins.
The popular and award-winning series has long been revered as an essential tool for identifying and understanding rare coin die varieties – valuable coins potentially hidden in pocket change and dealers’ inventories – and this new edition continues that tradition of excellence, packed with updated information for 310 unique varieties, more than 1,000 high-quality images, and detailed descriptions that provide enthusiasts the knowledge needed to make smart decisions in their numismatic pursuits.
The Sixth edition, Volume 3 examines die varieties for Liberty Seated, Barber, Walking Liberty, Franklin, and Kennedy half dollars; Liberty Seated, trade, Morgan, Peace, and modern dollars; gold dollars through double eagles; classic commemoratives; bullion coinage; and the Philippines.
The layout is organized and easy-to-navigate, making it accessible for both novice and experienced collectors, and features an expanded introductory narrative, detailed photo enlargements, market values in multiple grades, and for the first time ever Greysheet-based pricing and GSID numbers that identify and link a coin across the entire family of Whitman Brands products, such as the Greysheet online pricing tool, CDN Exchange, and the Greysheet mobile app.
Few books have excited the coin-collecting community like the Cherrypickers’ Guide series. Since the first edition burst onto the scene in 1990, the guide has become an indispensable reference for those passionate about coin collecting and thousands of hobbyists have been searching for the rare die varieties described inside. The series tells you how to "cherrypick" – that is, how to examine coins that look normal at first glance but have unusual characteristics such as doubled and tripled dies, overdates, repunched mintmarks, and other features that can reveal a common coin to be a rare and valuable variety.
At 328 pages, the all-new third volume adds over 120 new varieties and gives special attention to new content covering "Long Nock" Morgan-dollar VAM varieties, additional text for Presidential dollar edge varieties, and new chapters on Draped Bust half dollars and dollars, Capped Bust half dollars, and Philippine coins.
"We are thrilled to bring the latest Cherrypicker’s Guide to the numismatic community," said Bill Fivaz, the guide’s esteemed co-author. "The goal has always been to equip collectors with the best possible resources, and this volume is a testament to our commitment to excellence and innovation in numismatic literature."
Volume editor Larry Briggs, who dedicated countless hours and energy to the project, recently lamented, "The second volume was bursting at the seams with so much new material, we knew early on we would need another volume."
He cheerfully added, "Cherrypicking enthusiasts everywhere should be duly excited!" Fivaz and Briggs were joined by Ohio-based numismatist and major contributor Robert Lawson, responsible for coordinating the efforts and inputs of more than 15 die-variety specialists from around the country.
Reunited
For the first time, all three volumes of the Cherrypicker’s Guide covering half cents through double eagles and everything in between, will be available to the numismatic community at the same time.
A large second print run of the Sixth edition, Volume 1, originally published in 2015, will be released simultaneously which includes 680 varieties, more 1,000 images, and detailed information for some of the most popular U.S. coin series, to include Indian Head cent, Flying Eagle cent, Lincoln cent, two-cent pieces, Buffalo nickel, Jefferson nickel, Shield nickel, and Liberty Head nickel series.
Laying the Groundwork
"Behind The Guide Book of United States Coins (Red Book) and some other select tiles, Cherrypicker’s Guide is one of the most asked-about titles we publish at Whitman," said Whitman Brands CEO and Publisher John Feigenbaum. He added, "We are super thrilled to have all three volumes available to the collector community at the same time later this summer. But the truth is, there are always new die varieties and information surfacing, so the work is never done." The initial groundwork for an all-new, revamped Seventh Edition is being laid.
Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties, Sixth edition, Volumes I and III can be pre-ordered for $39.95 online at Whitman.com and Amazon.com, and will be available in Whitman’s Ebay Store and in bookstores, hobby shops, and other online retailers nationwide August 2024. Cherrypickers’ Guide, Sixth edition, Volume II remains available for purchase at all retail outlets. All Sixth editions will also be available electronically in the Kindle Store for $14.95 per title.
Specifications
Title: Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins, Sixth Edition, Volume III
Authors: Bill Fivaz, J.T. Stanton
Editor: Larry Briggs
Forewords: Kenneth Bressett, Q. David Bowers
ISBN: 9780794850678
Binding: Spiralbound hardcover
Dimensions: 6 x 9 inches
Pages: 328
Photos: 660
Retail $39.95 U.S.
https://whitman.com/cherrypickers-guide-volume-iii-6th-edition/
Title: Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties of United States Coins, Sixth Edition, Volume I
Authors: Bill Fivaz, J.T. Stanton
Editor: Mike Ellis
Forewords: Kenneth Bressett, Q. David Bowers
ISBN: 9780794843182
Binding: Spiralbound hardcover
Dimensions: 6 x 9 inches
Pages: 448
Photos: 1,000
Retail $39.95 U.S.
https://whitman.com/cherrypickers-guide-volume-i-6th-edition/
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.
Yes, it’s advertising and promotional I get it. And yes, I’m thinking that these books look to be an interesting read and/or collecting tool. I’m also thinking that this hobby is never ending…
Pretty good showing for the ’24 Silver Proof Set regardless of price = 143,765 sets in just a few days. Or was it? What about the “early releases” sets. How many of those were released a month ago? We’ll never know, unless there’s a variety whether in coin or in OGP form?
https://www.usmint.gov/about/production-sales-figures/cumulative-sales
Rick, weekly increase for 24RH was only 14,445. Exactly how many of those were for the 4 days from release date (June 27-30) vs. the 3 days prior (June 24-26) we don’t know. Weekly cumulative sales ending June 9= 0; ending June 16= 639; ending June 23= 129,320. So, I’m guessing collector sales through subscriptions and catalog sales around 10,000 +/- for the 4 days. Everything else likely authorized purchasers. Who else can get them pre-release?
Thanks for the math Major, it looks like I was in a time warp for several days. Still pretty strong numbers for those sets? The pre-release was a mystery for some graded coins weeks ago, remember Divinegate? It is possible that the sets are available early through the NBPP(Numismatic Bulk Purchase Program), but the sets aren’t on the NBPP list–However that list looks to be dated, and if you read the Mint disclaimer, “The Mint may, at any time, add new coin programs to the Numismatic Bulk Purchase Program as they are approved and made available”…. https://catalog.usmint.gov/bulk-purchase-program-landing.html The Morgan &… Read more »
So of course the Mint picked the same day to send this email: Price Update for Morgan and Peace Silver Dollar Uncirculated Coin SubscriptionsDue to the rise of the spot price of silver and other costs, the United States Mint is raising prices on all numismatic silver products effective July 9, 2024, except for our commemorative coin program products. As a loyal customer, we wanted to notify you this will impact the price of any subscriptions you have for the Morgan or Peace Silver Dollar Uncirculated Coins which go on sale July 11, 2024. On July 11, the Morgan and Peace Silver Dollar… Read more »
I’m cancelling my orders! This might be the first year I don’t buy a single coin from them. Great job Gibson.
Craig, you’re NOT alone! I cancelled my Subscriptions too! There’s no real good reason for the Mint to raise their pricing. The silver price isn’t much higher than the previous releases. I’m over the Mor/Pea silver dollars. They look phoney, matte finish just doen’t look right on these silver dollars. They look fake to me anyways. The mint should produce these so they look like “regular” uncirculated coins, like the bullion ASE’s or the original Mor/Pea dollars. I’m old school”, I don’t like changes to coins. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it is my motto!! If there’s a way… Read more »
AKBob, Great minds think alike! I simply think the mint considers us as a bunch of gullable fools who will gladly pay whatever they want for their products. I just cancelled all of my M/P dollar subscriptions because I refuse to pay $91 for a coin with less than $30 worth of Ag. I liked their reasoning for the ludicrous price hike: “due to the rise of spot price of silver ‘and other costs’…” I can guess what those other costs pertain to. I just heard JohnDeere is moving their operations to Mexico. I wonder how those small communities are… Read more »
I can see many mountains and mountain ranges. Up North is where there’s actually active volcanos. The airlines have to be careful they don’t fly thru the ash from it. It really is “drop dead gorgeous” up here. I never get tired of it either.
You’re right, the Mint thinks of us customers as “cash cows”, that’ll pay whatever they ask. For me, it only results in “death by a thousand cuts” or “death to the mint by a thousand price increases”!!
Well, as always, Good Luck ALL!!!
AKBob,
I also like that idea of issuing dollars with the original finish and cart wheel luster! They know how they did it.
Triple Spot. Something needs to cover the ever increasing “Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses” that the Mint incurs in regards to their newly implemented hiring requirements….
I just got that email, too. What a crock! And the Mint’s only giving a few days’ notice before the cut-off (and on top of that during the July 4th holiday week when folks are vacationing) to make subscription changes. How many will miss the notice and get a big surprise? Like with most others on this site, I follow the price of silver day-to-day. It’s around $30 (up from around $25 from the start of the year). That’s only a $5/oz increase, so why is a 0.859 troy oz Morgan or Peace Uncirculated now going up by $15 (from… Read more »
It’s the ‘other costs’ that are driving up the price of all precious metals (except for the comms). They’ve lost me until some sanity reigns again at the mint.
Craig, Major D and Rick,
It isn’t just the silver or precious metal coins as a whole that have risen in price at the Mint. I believe this year’s Commemorative Clad Half Dollars are going for what Commemorative Silver Dollars sold for not all that long ago.
Government Drone,
If you translate that nonsense about “As a loyal customer etc.” what it says in plain English is “regardless of all your years with us and the thousands of dollars we have made from your purchases you’re in for another price reaming, so there!”
Kaiser,
I think the companies that sell silver blanks to the U.S. Mint should put a 50 percent “surcharge” above spot silver price to gouge the Mint like they gouge us on their silver products.Then the Mint might learn a good lesson. I have some silver rounds I’ll sell to the Mint for $75 an ounce when they can’t get silver from their contract companies… LOL.
NumisdudeTX
The 2024 Proof set (24RG) still showing strong weekly sales. +6,759 for the week ending June 23 and now +5,628 for the week ending June 30. Current cumulative sales at 233,432. Assuming the mintage is around 400,000, at this pace sell out will occur in December– earlier if the mintage turns out to be less, or under 2023’s mintage of 369K. Meanwhile the 2023 Uncirculated set (23RJ) is inching along by comparison. +422 for the week ending June 23 and now +375 for the week ending June 30. Current cumulative sales at 180,251 with a product limit of 185,000 (not… Read more »
Major D, from what I can tell/see, the Mint is still showing 190,000 for the next in line, 2024 Uncirculated Coin Set, if you look at the subscription page. Here’s a link(convenience), for any that may be interested in these Unc sets still(?). “Uncirculated Coin Set Subscription”
https://catalog.usmint.gov/uncirculated-coin-set-subscription-MW.html
PS Maybe, just maybe(???), the 2023/2024 Unc Sets will hold value or maybe even go up in secondary market price eventually?
PSS People are still paying $100+ for 1 roll of 2024 D Jefferson Nickels. Not a bad return, on a $2.00 buy in!
Thanks, CaliSkier. I was looking at the product page: Uncirculated Coin Set 2024 | US Mint I’ve been bank searching for 2024 rolls (of any denomination) all year and have not found any yet. I just get the mixed stuff, with an odd 2024 sprinkled in. It’s a great find if you get any full rolls! It’s surprising to me that the uncirculated sets are the red-headed stepchild of Mint sets, or the Rodney Dangerfield (No Respect!). Especially when you consider what some MS70 slabbed coins sell for later. It may be worth grabbing a few just for the P&D… Read more »
In a previous thread referencing comedy and Fred Willard, Major D said: “Mind you, this was 1977 long before the electric car was a real thing.” You “sparked” a thought as my 1st thought(?), was that at least an example or version of an electric car had been invented/created prior to 1977? Actually, over 100 years prior! 1830’s is when it all began, which was also prior to the gasoline powered versions! From Car and Driver an interesting bit of history. “Worth the Watt: A Brief History of the Electric Car, 1830 to Present” https://www.caranddriver.com/features/g43480930/history-of-electric-cars/ PS Additional tidbit: “The speed… Read more »
Thanks CaliSkier, yes I’ve known there have been electric cars prior to 1977. What I meant is that they were not part of the mainstream public consciousness like today when Teslas and hybrids are commonplace. My bad for not putting quotes around the word “real”. The reality is that companies like GM were in fact working on programs– which they later proceeded to kill (“Who Killed the Electric Car”)
I missed CPG vol. 2, 5th ed. I actually have two copies of CPG vol. 2, 4th ed. because the second time I thought I was buying the 5th edition and goofed up. So I’ve been waiting for CPG vol. 2, 6th edition forever, Then I found out they spit it into vol. 2 and vol. 3. So finally vol. 3 is coming. I’m looking forward to the dollar coins.