Q. David Bowers joined
Whitman Publishing as the company’s numismatic director in 2003. This was at
the start of a modern renaissance in American numismatic book publishing. Since
that time Whitman has published hundreds of new books for the hobby, ranging
from 64-page monographs to 900-page encyclopedias, and recently the 1,504-page Mega
Red. Many of these books were written by Bowers himself. All of them are
influenced by his scholarship and creative direction.
In 2004 Whitman released
the first volume in a new collection of coin books. The volume was A Guide
Book of Morgan Silver Dollars, and the collection was the “Bowers Series.”
Two dozen volumes have been published in the series as of early 2018. They
follow a standard format—bound in softcover (except for a few limited editions
in hardcover or leather-bound), measuring six by nine inches, printed in full
color since 2007, and ranging from 256 to 608 pages. Most volumes focus on a
single U.S. coin type. They offer history, retail values in multiple grades,
auction data, photographs, buying and selling advice, and other information and
guidance for collectors.
The books in the Bowers
Series, and their authors, are:
1. A Guide
Book of Morgan Silver Dollars (Q. David Bowers)
2. A Guide
Book of Double Eagle Gold Coins (Q. David Bowers)
3. A Guide
Book of United States Type Coins (Q. David Bowers)
4. A Guide
Book of Modern United States Proof Coin Sets (David W. Lange)
5. A Guide
Book of Shield and Liberty Head Nickels (Q. David Bowers)
6. A Guide
Book of Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents (Richard Snow)
7. A Guide
Book of Washington Quarters (Q. David Bowers)
8. A Guide
Book of Buffalo and Jefferson Nickels (Q. David Bowers)
9. A Guide
Book of Lincoln Cents (Q. David Bowers)
10. A Guide Book of United
States Commemorative Coins (Q. David Bowers)
11. A Guide Book of United
States Tokens and Medals (Katherine Jaeger)
12. A Guide Book of Gold
Dollars (Q. David Bowers)
13. A Guide Book of Peace
Dollars (Roger W. Burdette)
14. A Guide Book of the
Official Red Book of United States Coins (Frank J. Colletti)
15. A Guide Book of Franklin
and Kennedy Half Dollars (Rick Tomaska)
16. A Guide Book of Civil War
Tokens (Q. David Bowers)
17. A Guide Book of Hard Times
Tokens (Q. David Bowers)
18. A Guide Book of Mercury
Dimes, Standing Liberty Quarters, and Liberty Walking Half Dollars (Q.
David Bowers)
19. A Guide Book of Half Cents
and Large Cents (Q. David Bowers)
20. A Guide Book of Barber
Silver Coins (Q. David Bowers)
21. A Guide Book of Liberty
Seated Silver Coins (Q. David Bowers)
22. A Guide Book of Modern
United States Dollar Coins (Q. David Bowers)
23. A Guide Book of the United
States Mint (Q. David Bowers)
24. A Guide Book of Gold Eagle
Coins (Q. David Bowers)
Now, Whitman Publishing is looking for input from the
hobby community for the next volume in the Bowers Series. Collectors,
investors, dealers, researchers, and other numismatists, whether professional
or amateur, beginner or old-timer, are invited to weigh in. “What subject would
you like to see covered in volumes 25 and beyond of the Bowers Series?” asks
Whitman publisher Dennis Tucker. Hobbyists can share their opinions by emailing
dennis.tucker@whitman.com,
or by writing to Whitman Publishing, Attn: Bowers Series, 1974 Chandalar Drive,
Suite D, Pelham AL 35124.
