Why Are Cherrypickers Guides Selling for So Much? My Numismatic Deep Dive

My Jaw Hit the Floor Seeing Those Prices

I was scrolling through eBay for Cherrypickers Guides last week and nearly dropped my coffee—copies are selling for several times their original price! As a collector with some extras gathering dust on my shelf, I had to dig into why these books became so crazy valuable.

What’s Fueling This Price Rocket?

From what I’ve pieced together, it boils down to simple supply and demand. Since the guides went out of print, collectors are hunting for reliable references that just aren’t being made anymore. What surprised me is how many folks are shifting from modern coins to classic series like Bust and Barber dimes lately, making these guides even more essential.

• With so few copies floating around, auctions turn into bidding wars that send prices soaring
• Some collectors are treating them like blue-chip stocks, banking on values climbing higher if that new edition never materializes

The Great Waiting Game

Remember when we all got excited about the new edition supposedly coming in August 2020? Then 2023? Yeah, me too. Three years of radio silence tells me something’s stuck in the gears. Rumor has it there’s behind-the-scenes drama—maybe contributors wanting royalties for their variety discoveries, or disputes over value estimates for unpublished coins. Honestly? It makes me wonder if the guide can stay relevant with these endless delays.

I’ll always treasure my dog-eared copies, but this limbo has me reaching for other resources more often.

Old Books vs. New Tricks

When I first caught the collecting bug, my Cherrypickers Guide felt like a treasure map—those crisp photos were gold when online resources were thin. These days? My copies mostly collect dust while I check websites and forums. But don’t write them off just yet! They still shine for obscure varieties where digital info is patchy.

• Heads up: I’ve spotted some errors in older editions, so I always verify with trusted online sources
• The photos remain fantastic for spotting grading clues, though I’ll often grab my phone for a magnified view too

Smart Moves for Your Collection

If you’ve got Cherrypickers Guides, I’d hold tight—they’re likely to keep appreciating. But don’t get swept up in the frenzy. Here’s what works for me:

• Try digital first—I scored a Kindle version for under $20
• PCGS CoinFacts and Variety Vista are my go-to free resources for current variety info
• Set a firm budget before bidding, and track completed sales so you don’t overpay
• Build a balanced reference library with books on metals and grading—it pays off when you’re examining a tricky coin

Parting Thoughts from My Workbench

At the end of the day, these crazy prices come down to scarcity mixed with collector nostalgia and market shifts. While I’ll always keep my Cherrypickers Guides for sentimental value, my daily research happens online. As for that mythical new edition? I’ll believe it when I see it on my local coin shop’s shelf.