Q. David Bowers

Collecting U. S. coins by date and mintmark is popular, but building a complete collection is not always practical or possible. United States Type Coins details how to start the ideal numismatic pursuit: a collection of United States coins by type. Whether your desire is to gather one example of every type from the 1790's onward, or to build a specialty subset such as types from the 20th century, type-coin collecting is an attractive and affordable way to build a collection. This newly updated edition of the award-winning United States Type Coins explores more than 250 distinct coin designs, from the 1792 half dimes up to today's American Innovation dollars, and every gold, silver, copper, steel, nickel, and other coin in between. Whether the coins you collect are from the beginning of U. S coinage in the late 1700's or something more recent, this book provides the reference tools you need: mintages, grading, collecting tips, values, and more, all in one essential historical reference and price guide. Inside you'll find: Over 250 types, from half cents through $20 gold coins market vvalues in up to nine grades per coin Hundreds of color photos Grading guide Greysheet ID (GSID) numbers How to be a smart buyer Type-set variations And much more "Type-coin collecting is one of the most rewarding and accessible ways to explore American numismatics. Whether you're a beginner just learning the ropes or a seasoned collector seeking historical depth, building a type set offers a unique blend of education, artistry, and challenge. Each coin tells a story--from early copper to modern clad issues--and together they form a panoramic view of our nation's coinage history." - Jeff Garrett, Senior Editor Red Book Winner, Best Specialized Book on United States Coins (Numismatic Literary Guild) Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of type coins, from the earliest half cents and large cents to modern circulating coinage, with the all-new third edition of United States Type Coins, part of Whitman's renowned Red Book Series. This acclaimed series spans nearly 30 volumes, each providing in-depth coverage of specific U. S. coin types and programs featured in the Official Red Book.

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. Features: Over 200 listings Over 350 actual size photographs Historical background, date-by-date analysis, collecting tips and strategies Updated market values for every coin in the Shield and Liberty Head series based on industry-standard Red Book Quarterly (RQ) Retail pricing Greysheet Identification (GSID) catalog numbers that identify and link a coin across the entire family of Whitman products All-new Foreword by Patrick Perez, Editor of the Greysheet and Greensheet magazines Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of five-cent coins with the all-new second edition of Shield and Liberty Head Nickels, part of Whitman's renowned Red Book Series. This acclaimed series includes nearly 30 volumes, each offering in-depth coverage of specific U. S. coin types and programs featured in the Official Red Book.

Washington Quarters, expanded and updated in an all-new third edition, is an in-depth study of our nation's most popular modern coin. It features the colorful historical research that readers expect from Q. David Bowers, including a biography of the United States' first president, the early years of the quarter dollar, and the history of the Washington quarter series starting in 1932. Each coin is introduced year by year, from 1932 to 1998, and focuses a comprehensive section on the last 25 years' worth of modern programs. Packed with over 750 color images, updated market values, a grading guide, secrets of being a smart buyer, and all new issues since 2017. This in-depth study has everything for beginners through advanced collectors. Features: Over 850 coin listings Market values in up to nine grades based on industry standard CPG(R) Retail pricing and Greysheet Identification (GSID) catalog numbers that identify and link a coin across the entire family of Whitman Brands products Circulating, Proof, and Special Mint Set coins from the Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point mints 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 "The only book I have authored is the Complete Guide to Washington Quarters (1994). As CEO and Publisher at Whitman, my career has come full circle, and I am honored to add my voice (and pricing ) to the 2025 edition of such a rich reference work on a coin series that is very near and dear to me." -from the foreword by John Feigenbaum, CEO/President of Whitman BrandsImmerse yourself in the fascinating world of quarters with the all-new third edition of Washington Quarters, part of Whitman's renowned Red Book Series. This acclaimed series includes nearly 30 volumes, each offering in-depth coverage of specific U. S. coin types and programs featured in the Official Red Book.

Award-winning author Q. David Bowers offers fresh insight into the 1892-1916 silver coinage of U. S. Mint engraver Charles E. Barber. These coins were the workhorses of American commerce at the dawn of an age of exciting innovation. Bowers traces the history of Barber's coinage through the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era to the brink of America's entry into the Great War, alongside the birth of record players, automobiles, and moving pictures. The Guide Book of Barber Silver Coins gives advice and instructions on grading and smart collecting, along with retail prices in up to 12 grades (including Proofs), and a close study of every date and mintmark for Barber dimes, quarters, and half dollars. Appendices explore artist Charles Barber's personal life, the mints where his coins were struck, remarkable error coins, and related topics. New in the updated third edition: Coin-by-coin comparison of historical and current market values. Historical photographs. Barber coin love tokens. Research on the 1894-S dime. and more... Bowers introduces a new generation of collectors to Charles Barber, and fuels their passion for his important and wonderful coins." *― John Frost, president of the Barber Coin Collectors' Society *"A landmark account touching on every aspect of Barber's fascinating coinage." ― Kenneth Bressett, editor emeritus of the Guide Book of United States CoinsTABLE OF CONTENTSForewordPublisher's PrefaceIntroductionHow to Use This BookChapter 1: New Coinage of 1892Chapter 2: Collecting Barber CoinsChapter 3: The American Scene, 1892-1916Chapter 4: Barber Dimes, 1892-1916Chapter 5: Barber Quarters, 1892-1916Chapter 6: Barber Half Dollars, 1892-1915Appendix A: Chief Engraver Charles E. BarberAppendix B: The Real Story of the 1894-S Barber DimeAppendix C: Mints for the Barber CoinageAppendix D: Mint Directors and Superintendents, 1892-1916Appendix E: Remarkable Barber Coin ErrorsAppendix F: A New Look at Charles BarberNotesSelected BibliographyCredits and AcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorIndex

Generations of coin collectors have grown up with the ever-popular Lincoln cent. Now, Q. David Bowers provides a detailed study of this great American classic, from its birth in 1909 through changes in alloys and designs up to the modern day." Lincoln cents are among the most fascinating coins in the entire American series," writes Bowers. "Believe it or not, they also offer some of the greatest challenges." In this single volume you'll learn the history of the Lincoln cent's seven reverse designs, take an inside tour of the minting process, and learn how to grade your coins, including Proofs. Bowers shares tips on how to become a smarter buyer and build a great collection. This updated and revised fourth edition includes a thorough market analysis for each date and mintmark, hundreds of photographs, and insight on error coins, patterns, alternative Bicentennial designs, related tokens and medals, and more. Appendices explore the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee's review of the 2010 Shield design, a snapshot of the Lincoln cent market in 1946, and how to get a new die variety listed in hobby publications. Read and enjoy, as you gain a better appreciation of America's most popular cent "No one captures the appeal of collecting coins like Q. David Bowers." *David W. Lange *"Among the most important works on Lincoln numismatic scholarship." Joel Iskowitz"Unique insight from the hobby's most prolific author." Charles Daughtrey

This book contains over four hundred fifty tuning scales, tracker scales and key frame layouts for player and reproducing pianos, coin pianos and orchestrions, music boxes, table-top organettes, reed, pipe, and electronic organs, barrel organs and various other miscellaneous mechanical musical instruments. In addition to the six hundred fifty pictures and illustrations, there are capsule histories of many of the companies which produced these instruments on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. There are numerous informative articles on such subjects as arranging piano rolls, how to decode an unknown scale, how nickelodeon rolls were originally made, selecting the type of roll to be used for a new orchestrion, arranging music for barrel organs, tuning antique instruments, how rolls are perforated and detailed pictorial tours of both the QRS and Play-Rite Music Roll factories as they manufactured rolls in the early 1980s. There's a good bit of information on player pipe organs, and for the carousel buffs, a fascinating collection of pictures of Charles Looff, the carousel builder, and many of the fine machines he made--all of which were fitted with beautiful mechanical organs.

Americans love to collect the beautiful and historic Morgan silver dollar No other coin conjures up so much of the romance and adventure of the United States. In this expanded seventh edition of his best-selling book, the "dean of American numismatics," Q. David Bowers, offers an engaging portrait of the country's most popular classic coin. You'll learn what to look for when you buy, how to grade your coins, how to cherrypick rare die varieties and ways to become a smarter collector. This updated edition also includes thorough market analysis for each date and mint, a detailed look at the minting process, a study of Treasury releases and other hoards, and more. Says Red Book Senior Editor Jeff Garrett: "No American numismatic library is complete without the latest edition of A Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars." New in the expanded seventh edition: Updated coin values in up to 14-grade levels. New certification records. More and larger illustrations of coins, including new galleries of toned coins and error coins. An updated appendix on counterfeit Morgan dollars, based on the work of Beth Deisher. A new appendix on the 1921-2021 anniversary coins. 336 pages. Softcover. 6 x 9 inches

Only weeks after the "Shot Heard 'Round the World," the Continental Congress authorized its very first issuance of paper money--an ambitious act rooted in the hope of independence rather than in reserves of silver or gold. Continental Currency, plagued by counterfeiting, depreciation, and distrust, nonetheless marked a critical step in the economic foundation of the new United States. Its legacy continues to shape American money today. In A Guide Book of Continental Currency and Coins, readers will discover the complete story of Revolutionary-era paper money and the enigmatic 1776 Continental dollar coin (or medal). This richly illustrated reference explores the origins, symbolism, and artistry of Continental issues, with large, full-color images of every bill and dollar, detailed valuations, market performance comparisons, and numismatic insights from leading researchers. It blends history, economics, and numismatics into a definitive guide to one of America's most fascinating and mysterious monetary chapters. "After reading the Guide Book of Continental Currency and Coins you will have a much greater understanding and appreciation not only of the currency and coins of the Revolutionary period, but also of the hardships faced by our forefathers in shaping this great nation." -- from the foreword by Christopher R. McDowell Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Revolutionary-era money with the all-new A Guide Book of Continental Currency and Coins, part of Whitman's renowned Red Book Series. This acclaimed series spans nearly 30 volumes, each providing in-depth coverage of specific U. S. coin types and programs featured in the Official Red Book.

Postcard collecting has been a popular American pastime since the hobby's Golden Age more than a hundred years ago. For today's collector, postcards offer historic photography, snapshots of pop culture and everyday life, colorful works by famous artists--and the thrill of the hunt as you build your collection. At long last there's a full-color overview and in-depth guide to this fascinating hobby. The 432-page Guide Book of Collectible Postcards is a complete one-stop resource for newcomers and experienced collectors alike. It includes: More than 1,500 illustrations Real Photo Postcards (RPPCs), linens, chromes, signed artist cards, sets and series, hand-colored cards, error cards, composites, mechanicals and novelties, and more Christmas, Halloween, comics, and other popular categories famous artists like Charles Dana Gibson, Winsor McCay, Alphonse Mucha, and many others history of the hobby and postcard production methods advice for smart buying and collecting valuation charts for hundreds of card types grading instructions check lists for sets and series, to keep track of your collections high-resolution images of more than 1,300 example postcards a comprehensive appendix describing more than 2,000 historic postcard manufacturers and distributors extensive indexes for further research A postcard collection takes you on a unique trip into the past. Inside this book, you'll find cards of high society and lowbrow humor, natural disasters, social, political, and religious movements, popular artists' illustrations, newspaper comics, circus animals, early movie stars, athletes, planes, trains, automobiles, and the corner general store--and much more Authors Q. David Bowers and Mary L. Martin share decades of experience in buying, selling, and collecting. They guide you from the earliest postcards of the 1870s to the Golden Age of the 1890s through the Great War, and to the modern chrome postcards found on store racks today." Together, Mary Martin and Dave Bowers have raised the bar for the serious recognition of the postcard as one of the most important forms of mass media in history."--from the foreword by Leonard A. Lauder

A Guide Book of Half Cents and Large Cents explores two of America's earliest and most historic coinage denominations. Half cents and large cents, struck from 1793 to 1857, are among the most beloved classics of U. S. numismatics. Award-winning author Q. David Bowers--the "Dean of American Numismatics"--guides readers through these copper workhorses of commerce, weaving together coin-by-coin technical analysis with historical narratives of the young nation. He explains how the Philadelphia Mint's earliest days, the War of 1812, and other national events shaped the designs, minting processes, and production of these coins. Collectors will learn how to grade half cents and large cents, evaluate quality, determine rarity, and make informed purchases. Bowers provides detailed coverage of every variety and issue, including mintages, surviving populations, auction records, and market values. Hundreds of full-color images illustrate the artistry and charm of these early copper coins, while appendices explore the mint's history, numismatics in the 19th century, and collecting in modern times. With Bowers's trademark insight and engaging storytelling, this book delivers both essential reference data and a sweeping historical context--making it an indispensable addition to every collector's library. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of early American copper with A Guide Book of Half Cents and Large Cents, part of Whitman's renowned Red Book Series. This acclaimed series spans nearly 30 volumes, each providing in-depth coverage of specific U. S. coin types and programs featured in the Official Red Book.

Hard Times tokens are privately minted pieces that reflect one of the most turbulent eras in American history--the economic struggles and political upheavals of the 1830s and 1840s under Andrew Jackson. These fascinating tokens carried both political satire and commercial advertising, capturing the mood of a nation in transition. In A Guide Book of Hard Times Tokens Q. David Bowers brings together decades of research, hundreds of high-resolution photographs, and current market pricing in multiple grades. He provides collectors and historians with an authoritative guide that catalogs the series in detail, while also exploring the stories behind the tokens' designs, issuers, and circulation. Affordable to collect yet rich in history, Hard Times tokens remain a rewarding pursuit for both new and seasoned numismatists. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of pre-Civil War exonumia with A Guide Book of Hard Times Tokens, part of Whitman's renowned Red Book Series. This acclaimed series spans nearly 30 volumes, each providing in-depth coverage of specific U. S. coin types and programs featured in the Official Red Book.

"This is a newsy, respectful, affectionate tribute to a trouper..."-- Booklist