Cherrypickers Guide: Why Are They Selling for So Much? My Deep Dive

I was flipping through my coin books the other day and got a real shock—prices for the Cherrypickers Guide have gone through the roof! As a longtime collector, I had to figure out why these once-affordable references now cost a small fortune. Let me share what I’ve pieced together from my own experience and conversations around the hobby.

Scarcity and Out-of-Print Status

Plain and simple: these guides are getting harder to find. Whitman Publishing hasn’t printed new copies in years, despite dangling potential release dates since at least 2020. That August 2023 edition they mentioned? Still MIA. This shortage means collectors like me who kept extra copies are sitting on something special—copies that originally cost $39.95 now fetch multiples of that.

• When niche references go out of print, demand always jumps
• Three-plus years of “coming soon” announcements just make people want them more

Changing Collector Tastes

More folks seem to be moving from modern issues toward classic series like Bust coins lately. That shift means detailed variety guides have become essential tools. I’ve watched dealers at coin shows—when a well-worn Cherrypickers Guide hits the table, it’s snapped up before you can blink. Our changing interests are reshaping the market in real time.

The Never-Ending Wait for New Editions

So why hasn’t Whitman put out new editions? From what I gather, it’s partly internal disorganization—they’ve missed every deadline since 2020. But there might be more: rumors suggest some contributors want royalties for their variety discoveries, which could complicate things. And pricing unpublished varieties? That’s always been more art than science.

• Release dates keep vanishing like coins down sofa cushions
• Sorting out payments and rights seems to be slowing everything down

Smart Moves for Collectors

If you’ve got extra copies, hold them—they’ll likely keep gaining value. But if you’re buying today, think twice before paying top dollar. I’ve shifted mostly to digital resources for variety checking; they’re more current and won’t break the bank. That said, a reasonably priced used copy still makes sense if you’re building your foundational knowledge.

• Online tools give you live updates without the premium price tag
• Shop carefully if you want a physical copy—some sellers are asking crazy money

While the Cherrypickers Guide remains incredibly useful, today’s prices reflect how scarce they’ve become and how much we still want them. I’m watching Whitman for updates, but honestly? I’m relieved I kept my old copies. They’ve become valuable pieces of the hobby itself.