(Pelham, AL) — The 74th edition of the coin-collecting hobby’s annual Guide Book of United States Coins (popularly known as the “Red Book”) debuted in April 2020. A special limited edition of 212 copies was released with a custom goldfoil-stamped cover and a tip-in sheet celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Manila Mint. The limited print run sold out within six weeks. Sales of the special edition support the educational mission of the Philippine Collectors Forum.
The front cover of the Manila Mint Centennial special edition features the reverse design of the so-called Wilson Dollar (HK-449/450), which was struck at the Mint of the Philippine Islands when it opened in Manila in 1920.
The Philippine Collectors Forum was established in August 2003 at the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money in Baltimore, Maryland. The group was founded by Raymond Czahor and Ken Seymore with the active support of ANA President John Wilson. 75 collectors attended the first meeting — the annual convention’s largest club attendance that year except for the Boy Scouts of America. The Philippine Collectors Forum is a nonprofit group and an official member club of the ANA. It holds annual meetings at the World’s Fair of Money. The Forum’s mission is to promote education about U.S./Philippine coinage, medals, tokens, paper money, scrip, and other numismatic items.
The Manila Mint traces its history back to the colonial era of the Philippine Islands. In April 1899, as a condition of the treaty ending the Spanish-American War, Spain transferred control of the Philippines to the United States. One of the government’s early tasks was to sponsor a new territorial coinage. The resulting coins, introduced in 1903, were designed by Filipino silversmith, sculptor, engraver, and art professor Melecio Figueroa. They bear the names of both the Philippines (FILIPINAS, the Spanish name for the islands) and of the United States of America. The silver coins feature a female personification of the Philippines before the volcanic Mount Mayon (northeast of the capital city of Manila). The minor coinage shows a young Filipino man, bare-chested and seated at an anvil with a hammer.
In the early years, most of the coins were produced at the San Francisco Mint and then shipped to the islands. On February 18, 1918, the Philippine Legislature passed an appropriations bill for the construction of machinery for a new mint in Manila. The Great War was interfering with shipments from the United States. A local mint was seen as being more expedient and economical. In addition, a local mint would support the United States’ goal of moving the Philippines toward its own governance and infrastructure.
The mint was built in Manila in the Intendencia Building, which housed the offices and hall of the Senate, and the offices and vaults of the Philippine Treasury. Its machinery was designed and built in Philadelphia under the supervision of U.S. Mint chief mechanical engineer Clifford Hewitt, who also oversaw its installation in Manila. The facility was opened, with formalities and machine demonstrations, on July 15, 1920. The fanfare included the production of an official commemorative medal in gold, silver, and bronze. The first specimen of these medals was struck by Speaker of the House of Representatives Sergio Osmeña (later president of the Commonwealth in the final years of World War II).
The Manila Mint produced coins for the Philippines from 1920 until Japanese forces invaded the islands in 1941, at which time it ceased operation. (The Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints would strike coins for the Philippines in 1944 and 1945.) Filipino and Filipino-American military service members, guerrillas, civilians, and leaders were vitally important in the Allied victory in World War II.
The mint’s buildings were largely destroyed by bombing during the liberation of the Philippines later in the war.
The Commonwealth of the Philippines became an independent republic on July 4, 1946. Today the Philippine coins of 1903 to 1945, including those struck at the mint in Manila, are important mementos of a significant chapter in U.S. history and numismatics. They are a testament to the close ties and special relationship between the United States and the republic and people of the Philippines.
The Philippine Collectors Forum is proud to honor the legacy of the Mint of the Philippine Islands with the 1920–2020 commemorative limited edition of the Guide Book of United States Coins.
About the Guide Book of United States Coins
A Guide Book of United States Coins is the world’s most popular annual retail price guide for U.S. coins, tokens, and other numismatic items. 24 million copies have been purchased since 1946, making it one of the best-selling nonfiction titles in the history of U.S. publishing.
For the 74th edition, more than 100 professional coin dealers, scholars, and other numismatic experts contributed their knowledge under the direction of Senior Editor Jeff Garrett, Research Editor Q. David Bowers, and Editor Emeritus Kenneth Bressett.
The 74th edition of the Red Book is available online and at bookstores and hobby shops nationwide. Whitman Publishing offers a Large Print Edition and several formats of the regular edition (hardcover; spiralbound softcover; and spiralbound hardcover). For more information and to order, visit the website of Whitman Publishing.
About Whitman Publishing
Whitman Publishing is the world’s leading producer of numismatic reference books, supplies, and products to display and store coins and paper money. The company’s high-quality books educate readers in the rich, colorful history of American and world coinage and currency, and teach how to build great collections. Archival-quality Whitman folders, albums, cases, and other holders keep collectibles safe and allow them to be shown off to friends and family.
Whitman Publishing is the Official Supplier of the American Numismatic Association. As a benefit of membership in the ANA, members can borrow the Red Book (and other Whitman books) for free from the Association’s Dwight N. Manley Numismatic Library, and also receive 10% off all Whitman purchases. Details are on the website of the ANA.
A Guide Book of United States Coins, 74th edition
464 pages, full color.
By R.S. Yeoman; senior editor Jeff Garrett; research editor Q. David Bowers;
editor emeritus Kenneth Bressett.
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KEITHSTER says
I sure would like one of those dollars but would settle for ASE-SR-38 NOW THATS AN EAGLE! and if not could live with AE-SR-05 But won’t hold my breath. Well Good Luck All”> <"
cagcrisp says
@HarryB
@John Q. Coinage
Suppose the United States Mint decided to offer the Bullion (no mint mark) versions of its American Eagle Silver, Gold, Platinum and Palladium coins as well as the Bullion (no mint mark) versions of the America the Beautiful Silver coin and the American Buffalo Gold coin for sale DIRECTLY TO CONSUMERS….
Under this scenario , assume the United States Mint would offer these coins at a premium over spot prices of the underlying metal, ranging from $3-$7 for 1oz. Silver coins, 6% -10% for the 1 oz. Gold coins, and up to 11% -15% for smaller denomination Gold coins.
Further, assume that the United States Mint would offer the option to have these Bullion coins graded at a grading agency of your choice for an additional fee of $15 per coin. (If this option were elected, the coins would be received “as graded” and would not be returned based on an unfavorable grading assignment.)
cagcrisp says
Collectors Universe , Inc. (CLCT) stock has gone Up 34.3% since June 11, 2020
My Guess my Above post is Driving the Bus…
Erik H says
I have a small collection of U.S. made foriegn coins including the Philippines (many can be purchased for around spot). They are a nice addition to any U.S. focused collection IMO
HarryB says
@cag: bullion sales of PM coins at reasonable premium over spot direct to consumers would be a wonderful service our US Mint could provide, coupled with a TPG service would be definite winner. Your recent discussion about 1/20 oz fractional potential should be considered as well. A bullion direct program would definitely restore profitability to the Mint. I do hope the Mint is listening.
cagcrisp says
@ HarryB says,”I do hope the Mint is listening.“
The Above was from a NAXION survey commissioned by the Mint.
…AND…
In the comments section, I did ask for my Gold 1/20 oz. coin for Less than $100.00…
IJTR says
Just change the threshold for authorized purchaser to include anyone willing to commit to spending at least $10,000 per order. Or create a new in-between level of buyer that gets some level of discount for larger purchases.
The cost of handling small onesie and twosie orders is a strong reason why premiums must be kept high.
Another reason for high premiums is allowing mass buyers to root thru, cherry pick, and return 100s or 1000nds of products. Those who get the discounts should not have that option and the return practice should be changed to discourage such activities.
John Q. Coinage says
Cag IF they offered bullion such type stuff from the USM @ a better price I would buy. As to PCGS I really don’t care about slabbing bullion (why….) even if it was a guaranteed 70, one day if the price of AG goes the slab will be melted with the coins. I went to a live feedback MINT session. They are looking for the $30 proof dudes, gold, heck I was like Rockafeller in their talking buying AU & Pd….
I got the MAXON survey, despite buying nothing this year & returning my only buy last year TEN SETS of Sac. coin & currency every one a POS centered mess….I never replaced the returns, had to wait a MONTH for apre-paid return label. I’ve been a die hard mint loyalist since 1968. THEY LOST ME ALREADY. Sorry, V75 BS I will give it shot but nbot more than 3 min, wtf it will be gone & listed on ebay in 10m. SPikingin the prices of bullion ATB is out there fore buying, try to sell one except HI & you get a mere schmere over a plain jane. Maybe ebay, but then there is tax, commission, paypal commi$h, 1099’s….yuck
Leo S. says
Mint Blob News.
Thanks for getting the blog back up and running.
John Q. Coinage says
It’s baack!! THANK$$$
cagcrisp says
This data come from Sales Totals by Month for the United States Mint for Bullion coins…
Keep in mind that American Silver Eagle Bullion sales for 2019 were the Worst year for sales since 2007
Keep in mind that American Gold Eagle Bullion sales for 2019 were the Worst year for sales since Inception in 1986
Keep in mind that American Buffalo Gold Bullion sales for 2019 were the Worst year for sales since Inception in 2006
…SO…How does Unites States Mint Bullion coins sales for 2020 compare to United States Mint Bullion coin sales for 2019?
American Silver Eagle Bullion…
Jun-19 2019 American Silver Eagle Bullion 6 months = 10,022,000 oz.
Jun-20 2020 American Silver Eagle Bullion 6 months = 12,596,500 oz.
Up 25.7%
2020 American Silver Eagle Bullion is tracking to be the best year since 2016…
American Gold Eagle Bullion…
Jun-19 2019 American Gold Eagle Bullion 6 months = 108,500 oz.
Jun-20 2020 American Gold Eagle Bullion 6 months = 379,000 oz.
Up 249.3%
2020 American Gold Eagle Bullion is tracking to be the best year since 2016…
American Buffalo Gold Bullion…
Jun-19 2019 American Buffalo Gold Bullion 6 months = 47,500 oz.
Jun-20 2020 American Buffalo Gold Bullion 6 months = 126,000 oz.
Up 165.3%
2020 American Buffalo Gold Bullion is tracking to be the best year since 2013…
VA Dave says
Good to see the blog back in biz.
KEITHSTER says
Looks like the Salt River quarters are going to be hard to get from the bank! The lady said they used to get $3ooo but now with the shortage they only get $500 a week. I asked her to save me a roll or so if she sees them. I did get two in change about two weeks ago at a gas station. Well Good Luck With Those “> 0 0 <"
IJTR says
Does anyone have the numbers on the backdated from the West Point hoard? How much leftover and rejected stuff was there?
Big operators probably want to unload their stock before the numbers come out…gonna depress the market for sure.