News Release

Whitman, a leading name in numismatic publications, is thrilled to announce the much-anticipated release of the second print run of the Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties: Volume II, 6th Edition. This invaluable reference, which made its debut at last year’s ANA World’s Fair of Money in Pittsburgh, quickly became a favorite among collectors and dealers alike.

According to Dawn Burbank, Whitman’s vice president of sales, the first print run of over 7,200 copies sold out in under four months, demonstrating the immense popularity of this guide within the coin-collecting community. “The Cherrypickers’ Guide was one of our best book sellers of the entire year,” Burbank stated. “We couldn’t keep them on the shelves, and overall, we sold the entire print run in just under four months.” She added, “We expect the second print run to sell just as fast, based on pent-up demand for the wildly popular title.”

Now, collectors have the opportunity to get their hands on this essential resource once again. The 320-page spiral-bound hardcover Cherrypickers’ Guide can be ordered for $39.95 online at whitman.com, Whitman’s Ebay Store, Amazon, and will be available in bookstores, hobby shops, and other online retailers nationwide later this month. Coin enthusiasts are encouraged to ask their favorite coin dealer for a copy.

The Cherrypickers’ Guide series has been a staple in the coin-collecting community since its inception in 1990, captivating thousands of hobbyists with its insights into rare die varieties. Authored by Bill Fivaz and professional numismatist Larry Briggs, this guide teaches collectors how to “cherrypick”—that is, how to identify unusual characteristics in seemingly ordinary coins, such as doubled and tripled dies, overdates, and repunched mintmarks, among others.

Volume II, 6th Edition features more than 440 die varieties, including nearly 80 new additions. From Capped Bust and Liberty Seated coins to Roosevelt dimes and Washington quarters, this comprehensive guide provides detailed descriptions and close-up photographs to help collectors identify valuable varieties.

But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Whitman is pleased to announce that Volume III of the Cherrypickers’ Guide series is set to be released this summer, prior to the ANA World’s Fair of Money 2024 in Chicago. This edition will cover half dollars through federal gold denominations, bullion coins, commemoratives, and even coins from the Philippines. For the first time ever, Volume III will feature Greysheet-based pricing and GSID numbers, enhancing the utility of this indispensable resource.

Brandon Hall, Whitman Cherrypicker’s Guide production editor, expressed his pride in the upcoming release: “The high level of community collaboration, updated content, and added features such as GSID have taken this high-demand product to the next level.” Bill Fivaz, one of the co-authors, believes Volume III to be the “best Cherrypicker ever.”

With the release of the second print run of Volume II and the highly anticipated arrival of Volume III, Whitman continues to solidify its position as the go-to source for serious coin collectors worldwide. Don’t miss out on these essential guides—order your copy today and elevate your numismatic knowledge to new heights!

We are pleased to share with you some bittersweet news regarding one of the most esteemed figures in numismatic publishing. After an illustrious nineteen-year career as publisher at Whitman Publishing, Dennis Tucker will be bidding farewell to his role at the end of February 2024.

Throughout his tenure, Tucker has been a pivotal force in shaping the landscape of numismatic literature, overseeing the publication of over 300 titles spanning various fields including numismatics, banking and financial history, American presidency, and U.S. military history. His leadership has been characterized by unwavering dedication, innovation, and a deep commitment to excellence.

Under his guidance, Whitman Publishing has witnessed a modern renaissance in numismatic literature, marked by the development of bestselling series such as the Bowers Series and the iconic “100 Greatest” library. Tucker’s own contributions to numismatic scholarship are equally noteworthy, with his award-winning book American Gold and Silver: U.S. Mint Collector and Investor Coins and Medals, Bicentennial to Date standing as a testament to his expertise and passion for the field.

Beyond his professional achievements, Tucker has been a staunch advocate for the numismatic community, earning accolades such as the ANA’s Glenn B. Smedley Memorial Award and being named one of the most influential people in numismatics by Coin World. His commitment to promoting numismatic education and awareness has left an indelible mark on our hobby.

As Dennis Tucker embarks on this new chapter in his life, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for his years of service and dedication to the numismatic community. Though he may be stepping away from his role at Whitman, we are confident that his presence will continue to be felt in various numismatic endeavors and philanthropic pursuits.

Please join us in congratulating Dennis on his retirement and wishing him all the best in his future endeavors. His legacy will forever be cherished, and his contributions to the numismatic world will continue to inspire generations to come.

The third edition of Harlan J. Berk’s 100 Greatest Ancient Coins will debut in December 2023, available from bookstores and hobby shops nationwide, and online (including at Whitman.com). Here, David Hendin, vice president and adjunct curator of the American Numismatic Society, shares his thoughts on the book and its author.

The greatest thing about Harlan Berk’s 100 Greatest Ancient Coins—aside from the coins!—is that even family and friends of collectors will appreciate the fabulous photos of these treasures and Harlan’s concise historic explanations. Collectors fear not, however, since Harlan has also provided current scholarly information to satisfy them as well. He also gives us a book that covers Greek, Roman, and so-called Byzantine coins in a single, impressively entertaining and informative volume.

I can’t think of another person more qualified to have written this popular book than Harlan J. Berk. He is a serious collector and connoisseur of art and paintings. (He has amassed the best-known collection of Chicago Modernists.) Anyone who has even chatted casually with Harlan knows his excitement for the subjects, as well as his expertise. He has also been a leading coin dealer, based in Chicago, for more than fifty years. He maintains an extensive numismatic library at his office and welcomes collectors and scholars. I’m proud to say that we have been friends for fifty years or so.

Harlan is obsessed with beauty and workmanship of coins, which, he notes, “have been collected almost since they were issued. There is evidence that the leaders of some great cities issued wonderful artistic coins made by recognized artists so that future generations would know what heights they reached. . . . Renaissance kings and princes collected coins. . . . Today ancient coins are collected around the globe.”

If you are one of those readers who tend to skip the text and admire the beautiful photos and look up values—don’t even think about it. Harlan’s notable introduction explains a great deal about ancient art and how it evolved; in the third edition of 100 Greatest Ancient Coins he adds a new section on cave paintings. We also get Harlan’s quick guided tour of coinage from the beginning up to the Eastern Roman Empire (the topic of one of his other important books), as well as an overview of collecting, grading, and authentication. Especially illuminating is Harlan’s snapshot of how the values of these coins have evolved from the mid-twentieth century forward. I’ve been reading about ancient coins for more than fifty-five years, and I learned something!

In this third edition, Harlan has paid special attention to updating his text on Tyre shekels, coins with portraits of Cleopatra VII, Athenian owl tetradrachms (a significant summary that updates dating theories and suggests that some later Athens types, once believed to be Athenian in origin, were actually struck in the ancient East), the Horseman staters of Tarentum, Brutus’s Eid Mar coins, Nero’s Port of Ostia sestertius, Titus’s Colosseum sestertius, Constantine IV folles, and the Judaea Capta sestertius. Photos of these coins and others have been upgraded to even more fabulous than in previous editions.

If you are a collector on a budget, you don’t need to worry. If you cannot afford to purchase all 100 of these significant coin types, there are many first-cousins of the “100 Greatest” that can still be purchased for less than $100.

It’s not easy to write about the “best 100” of anything. Harlan presents his numismatic hit parade in the order they were issued, hence #87, the Ionia electrum stater, is listed first. There is also an appendix that lists the coins in their order of “greatness,” as well as an appendix that shows the coins in actual size alongside each other together with dimensions, weight, and page number where the coin is featured.

Even some collectors often pass over words they do not fully understand. Harlan provides a brief but excellent illustrated glossary of terms, locations, and mythological and actual names that enhance the book’s value.

It’s no wonder that the first two editions of this classic book are “out of print.” It is the perfect gift for your cousin, aunt, uncle, mom, dad, sibling, grandpa, or friend who collects ancient coins. In fact, it’s a fun book to read for anyone interested in ancient history.

Coin collectors have a well-known saying: “Buy the book before the coin.” In this case you must have the book, so in this case it is okay to buy it before or after you buy the coin. You will be paging through it for many years to come.