The E-Sylum:  Volume 6, Number 13, March 30, 2003, Article 7

RED BOOK MINTAGE FIGURES

  In response to last week's query, Kenneth Bressett, Editor of
 "A Guide Book of United States Coins", aka the "Red Book"
  writes:  "I wish that I could easily answer why the Red Book
  mintage figures for 1871 are different than the Mint's estimates.
  Unfortunately, I no longer have access to the records and input
  that went into establishing the numbers.

  Early editions of the Red Book were inconsistent about including
  Proof figures along with the regular coinage. Most of those have
  been separated over the years, but there are uncertainties about
  others, and they have been left in their original form even though
  technically they may not be entirely accurate.

  Accurate mintage figures have always been a problem for
  researchers.  The Mint has not been consistent in their method
  of reporting in the past, and the situation is not much better now.
  Mint figures are occasionally 'updated' to reflect final sales to
  collectors, disposal of coins and sets that were held back for
  any number of reasons, and perhaps even inconsistencies in
  accounting.

  Red Book figures do not claim to be 100% accurate, but the
  Mint has often quoted them, rather than using their own records,
  knowing that their numbers are often less reliable."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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