Whitman’s 2026 Red Book: A Bigger, Better Guide for Coin Collectors Launches April 8

The 79th edition of A Guide Book of United States Coins features a bold new redesign and fresh updates, arriving in major U.S. retail outlets this spring.

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Whitman Brands™ proudly announces the return of A Guide Book of United States Coins, the world’s #1 best-selling price guide and numismatic reference, now enhanced in its completely-redesigned 79th edition.

Now available in more industry-standard 6x9” formats, including hardcover, perfect bound softcover, and spiral-bound, as well as large print spiral-bound, both in double-coil.
Now available in more industry-standard 6×9” formats, including hardcover, perfect bound softcover, and spiral-bound, as well as large print spiral-bound, both in double-coil.

Since 1946, collectors worldwide have trusted this guide for its grade-by-grade coin values, historical insights, detailed specifications, high-resolution photographs, and accurate mintage data. Wholesale shipments begin late March 2025.

The 2026 edition has been meticulously redesigned with the collector in mind. It features a larger 6" x 9" format, an intuitive layout, and over 32,500 market values in up to nine grades for more than 12,000 coins, tokens, medals, sets, and other collectibles. It also includes new market insights, updated research, and the latest mint data.

This year’s edition features a completely redesigned interior layout for easier use, market values for more than 12,000 listings using CPG® retail pricing, fun fact spotlights, updated research, the latest U.S. Mint data, and much more.
This year’s edition features a completely redesigned interior layout for easier use, market values for more than 12,000 listings using CPG® retail pricing, fun fact spotlights, updated research, the latest U.S. Mint data, and much more.

For the first time, pricing is based on Collector’s Price Guide (CPG®) retail pricing, and Greysheet Identification (GSIDSM) catalog numbers are integrated for seamless identification across Whitman’s family of products.

"I am truly honored to have been part of this year’s transformation, working closely with the extremely talented and professional staff at Whitman and the invaluable Red Book Advisory Panel of more than 70 numismatic industry leaders, experts, and supporters," said Jeff Garrett, Editor and President of Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries.

"Every change, from the book’s physical size to its presentation order, was carefully chosen and implemented with a single goal—to enhance the collector’s experience."

Key Enhancements

A Guide Book of United States Coins, affectionately known as the Red Book for its distinctive red color, debuts an all-new cover design for 2026.
A Guide Book of United States Coins, affectionately known as the Red Book for its distinctive red color, debuts an all-new cover design for 2026.

In terms of layout, collectors will notice several key improvements, with certain major sections now arranged by collector preference rather than strict technical definitions.

  • The Private and Territorial Gold chapter has been significantly expanded, now including BG (Breen-Gillio) attribution numbers. Previously covering about 100 listings in two-and-a-half pages, this section now spans more than five pages with approximately 580 total listings.
  • Commemoratives chapter has been reorganized to better align with market conventions. They are now grouped by denomination and listed by the familiar names collectors use. Classic commemoratives are arranged alphabetically, while modern commemoratives remain listed by date.
  • Circulation and Proof-strike value charts have been separated throughout the book, making it easier for collectors to assess market values. Type-coin value charts have been added for each coin type, where applicable, including qualities of surface (e.g., Deep Cameo, DMPL), strike (e.g., Full Bands for dimes, Full Bell Lines for half dollars), and color (Brown, Red Brown, and Red). Coins known in all three levels of the relevant quality may have as many as 27 price points, ranging from G-4 to MS-65RD.
  • New data organization consolidates coin type information at the beginning of each section, allowing readers to compare multiple types without flipping back and forth, improving readability and accessibility.

Additional enhancements include:

  • Fun-fact spotlights throughout the book.
  • A regular, fully illustrated case study in the "Grading U.S. Coins" section (this edition’s focus: Morgan Dollars).
  • A new "Collector’s Notebook" covering timely topics in numismatics (this edition’s subject: Misinformation in Numismatics).

With over 25 million copies sold, the Red Book remains one of the best-selling nonfiction books in American publishing history – an invaluable resource for collectors at all levels.

"Our commitment remains strong, not only to preserving its legacy but also to expanding its reach," said John Feigenbaum, Publisher and President/CEO of Whitman Brands. "From the Red Book to Red Book Quarterly (formerly CPG Coin & Currency Market Review) to the Red Book Podcast (now in its sixth episode and quickly growing in popularity), we are building something truly special and enduring for the collecting community."

In addition to the larger 6×9" format, the 2026 Red Book will be available in four different print bindings: hardcover, perfect bound softcover, spiral-bound, and large print spiral-bound. Pre-order purchases can be made now at Whitman.com and Amazon; regular purchases can be made through Whitman’s Ebay Store, Walmart.com, bookstores, hobby shops, and other retailers nationwide beginning April 8, 2025.

For more information, visit whitman.com.

For all episodes of the The Red Book Podcast or to subscribe to the Greysheet & Red Book YouTube channel, visit https://www.youtube.com/@greysheet-redbook/playlists.

Title: A Guide Book of United States Coins, 2026, 79th Edition
Authors: R.S. Yeoman
ISBN: 9780794851637
Binding: Spiral-bound
Dimensions: 6 x 9 inches
Pages: 484
Retail: $17.95 U.S
https://whitman.com/a-guide-book-of-united-states-coins-2026-spiral/

About Whitman Brands

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Formed from the 2023 merger of the numismatic publishing powerhouses of CDN and Whitman, Whitman Brands unites iconic series and titles like the Red Book, Blue Book, 100 Greatest, Paper Money of the United States, and Cherrypicker’s Guide, plus, an expansive line of folders, albums, and supplies that have defined the retail market for decades, with the pricing and data-rich expertise of industry-standard publications like Greysheet, Greensheet, Red Book Quarterly, The Banknote Book and CDN Exchange.

Whitman Brands provides comprehensive resources for collectors, offering unparalleled coverage of collectibles, literature, cataloging, and pricing. Dedicated to celebrating the rich heritage of numismatics, Whitman enriches the lives of coin and paper-money enthusiasts across the globe.

As North America’s leader in coin and currency events, Whitman Expos further elevates the brand, hosting three premier shows annually in Baltimore and expanding the company’s national influence.

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REB

The last copy I bought was in 2008. Maybe I need an update.

Rick

You got me by 2, as 2010 is my one and only copy. I never really referred to it from 2013 to ’23 since during those years I was a random Mint coin shopper, and an Ag bullion stacker, nothing else.
Now, with the significantly expanded Private and Territorial Gold chapter, it would be well worth the price of admission for me. The Gold Rush and Pioneer Gold era is interesting to me. It’s an expensive niche to collect, so for now I’m on the sidelines as a learner. I agree on an update.

Rick

Last Sunday was a typical auction evening at Great Collections, as I’m there every Sunday. Browsing & watching certain coins for research and fun, to bidding on a coin that I’d like to add to my collection, great. Well, I found a nice candidate for my 8-coin BU Silver Kennedy Short Set(’64-’70). I went after it and won it, great. My new coin is the 1965 40% Silver coin(not SMS), in MS67+ with a nice crusty tone to it, great. The ’65 has the 2nd lowest mintage of the set(65.8M), behind the 1970-D at just 2.1M coins. Anyway… After unpacking… Read more »

GC-DISPLAY-CASE-1
Last edited 3 minutes ago by Rick