Popular Red Book Series Expands with Three Exciting Releases

Whitman unveils the latest editions of two bestselling guides—freshly updated with current prices and new content—plus a brand-new title that delves into the rich coinage from America's gold-rush era like never before.

by Whitman Brands | Published on March 17, 2025

Whitman Brands™ proudly announces the latest editions of two best selling reference guides, Washington Quarters & Shield and Liberty Head Nickels, as well as a new addition to the Red Book Series™ lineup, Private and Pioneer Gold Coins.

Washington Quarters, 3rd Edition

Washington Quarters, in a fully updated and expanded third edition, is an in-depth study of our nation's most popular modern coin series, including the silver coins of 1932 to 1964 and all modern quarter types, Bicentennial through American Women Quarters. Packed with over 850 listings and all new issues since 2017, it now features updated market values based on Collector’s Price Guide (CPG®) Retail pricing and Greysheet Identification (GSIDSM) catalog numbers.

Washington Quarters includes the detailed and colorful historical research that readers expect from Whitman, including a biography of the United States' first president, the early years of the quarter dollar, and the history of the series. A year-by-year analysis is featured for the quarters from 1932 to 1998, and a comprehensive section is focused on the last 25 years’ worth of modern programs.

In an all-new foreword, John Feigenbaum, President and CEO of Whitman Brands, reflects on his father’s influence, his early beginnings in numismatics, and his deep connection to the Washington Quarter. “The only book I’ve authored is The Complete Guide to Washington Quarters (1994). Now, as Publisher at Whitman Brands, my career has come full circle. It’s an honor to contribute my insights—and pricing—to the 2025 edition of such a rich reference work on a coin series that is very near and dear to me.”

Key Features

  • Over 750 images
  • Over 850 listings
  • Circulating, Proof, and Special Mint Set coins from the Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point mints
  • Market values in up to nine grades based on Collector’s Price Guide (CPG®) Retail pricing
  • GSIDSM numbers that identify and link a coin across the entire family of Whitman products
  • Detailed history of modern programs, including State, D.C., and Territories, America the Beautiful, Crossing the Delaware, and American Women series
  • New Foreword by John Feigenbaum, Publisher of A Guide Book of United States Coins (Red Book)

Shield & Liberty Head Nickels, 2nd Edition

Shield & Liberty Head Nickels, the leading reference book on America’s first two five cent pieces, returns in a fully revised and updated second edition. With over 200 listings, this comprehensive guide covers the popular Shield nickels minted from 1866 to 1883, and subsequent Liberty Head (V) nickels minted from 1883 to 1913, including proofs and varieties. Collectors of all levels will enjoy the historical background, date-by-date analysis, and updated market values for every coin in the Shield and Liberty Head series. Additionally, this edition also sees the introduction of CPG Retail pricing and GSID catalog numbers, as well an all-new Foreword by Patrick Ian Perez, Editor of the Greysheet and Greensheet magazines.

Jeff Garrett, Senior Editor of A Guide Book of United States Coins and President of Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries, who is leading the upcoming revision of United States Type Coins, shared his excitement about the future of numismatic publishing: “The ecosystem being formed—with the all-new, reimagined 2026 Red Book, Red Book Quarterly (formerly CPG® Coin and Currency Market Review), The Red Book Podcast (now in its fifth episode), and major updates and expanded titles in the Red Book Series—is truly special to watch. Stay tuned.”

Private and Pioneer Gold Coins, 1st Edition

Private and Pioneer Gold Coins, the newest addition to Whitman's popular Red Book Series, delves into the fascinating world of these rare and historic coins from a time when private mints stepped in to provide much-needed local circulating currency during America's gold-rush era. Industry experts and authors Donald Kagin and David McCarthy bring to life the story of these extraordinary coins, minted outside federal authority from 1786 to 1862, and explores the denominations that set them apart. From early Brasher doubloons to tiny fractional pieces to hefty $50 slugs, private and pioneer gold coins are a window into the challenges and triumphs of early American commerce.

“Kagin and McCarthy are true professionals and experts in the field of private and territorial gold,” lauded Feigenbaum. “This resource is an overdue addition to an ever-growing Red Book Series, designed as companions to A Guide Book of United States Coins (Red Book) and an expanded resource for collectors to learn more about a specific coin type, series or topic.”

In the 2026 Red Book’s “Private and Territorial Gold" section, "California Small-Denomination Gold" has been significantly expanded, and now includes BG (Breen-Gillio) attribution numbers. Formerly covering about 100 listings in two-and-a-half pages, the section now has more than five pages with some 580 listings. As is in this case, the all-new, reimagined 2026 Red Book has led to significant improvements to the Red Book Series of guide books.

Whitman’s renowned Red Book Series™ comprises nearly 30 volumes, each dedicated to in-depth coverage of various U.S. coin types and programs. Collectors of all levels can immerse themselves in a wealth of content, including stunning photographs, historical insights, price charts across multiple grades, mintages, market analysis, collecting tips, and more.

Upcoming Red Book Series Releases

  • Shield & Liberty Head Nickels, 2nd edition
  • Private and Pioneer Gold, 1st edition
  • Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents, 4th edition
  • United States Type Coins, 4th edition

Published by Whitman®, the most trusted name in numismatic literature, Washington Quarters is available now and can be purchased through Whitman.com, Whitman's Ebay Store, Amazon, and Walmart.com, and bookstores, hobby shops, and other retailers nationwide. Shield and Liberty Head Nickels will be available for pre-order later this month. Private and Pioneer Gold is set to release in Spring of this year.

For more information, visit whitman.com.

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Source: Whitman Brands

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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.

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