My Take on Why Cherrypickers Guides Are Selling for Sky-High Prices

I’ve collected coins for years, but even I was stunned when I saw what Cherrypickers Guides were pulling in online auctions. Prices that would make your jaw drop! That got me wondering: why are these once-affordable books suddenly so expensive? After some digging, I found out a few things every coin collector should know.

The Core Reasons Behind the Price Surge

In my view, it mostly comes down to scarcity. These guides haven’t been printed in years, and with no new editions on the horizon, the ones still out there are in hot demand. I remember picking up the fifth edition for about $40 not too long ago. Now? They’re going for several times that on eBay and other sites. Here’s why:

• Out-of-print status: Once a book stops being printed, collectors rush to grab any copies they can find. That drives prices up quickly.
• New editions keep getting delayed: Whitman’s been talking about a new guide since 2020, but it’s always “coming soon.” That leaves a big gap in the market.
• Fewer copies available: Many of us who own one are holding tight, figuring they’ll only get more valuable.

Shifts in Collector Behavior and Market Trends

There’s another factor at play: more and more collectors are moving away from modern coins and focusing on classics like Bust coins and Barber series. I see it all the time at my local coin shops – the older stuff sells out fast. That makes guides like the Cherrypickers Guide even more important for finding rare errors in pre-modern coins. Even with all the online resources we have now, nothing beats having that physical book in hand when you’re hunting for varieties.

Why New Editions Keep Stalling

Looking into it further, I found out these delays aren’t just random. There are real problems behind the scenes. Whitman has been setting release dates for years, but they keep pushing them back. I’ve heard from contributors about disorganization, like being asked for material at the last minute and then it never gets used. Here are the main hurdles:

• Contributor disputes: Some of the experts who found these varieties want royalties, and that’s made negotiations tricky.
• Accuracy issues: We all know the guides have some mistakes. Fixing them takes a lot of new research, which isn’t easy to pull together.
• Online competition: These days, you can look up varieties on websites in seconds. That’s taken some of the wind out of the sails for a new printed edition. But the Cherrypickers name still carries a lot of weight, so collectors keep wanting it.

Practical Advice for Navigating This Market

So, what’s a collector to do? Here’s my take, based on what I’d do in your shoes:

• Hold onto your copy: If you’ve got one, don’t let it go. With these delays, prices will probably keep rising.
• Look at alternatives: If you’re just starting out, digital versions or free online databases can be just as good and way cheaper. I use them all the time for quick lookups.
• Double-check the info: Always cross-reference what you find in the guide with other sources. Some entries might be outdated or just plain wrong.
• Keep an eye out for new editions: Watch for announcements from Whitman, but don’t get your hopes up too high. Set up an alert so you know if one actually comes out, and be ready to buy.

At the end of the day, the crazy prices for Cherrypickers Guides come down to a mix of nostalgia, scarcity, and pure collector enthusiasm. It’s a reminder that while these books are great, the best collectors know how to use both old-school references and modern tools. Let’s hope a new edition comes out soon to calm things down a bit!