My Coin-Spotting Adventures in Movies and Television
June 22, 2025The Counterfeit PCGS Slab Problem: Growing Exponentially and My Personal Insights
June 22, 2025
You know that moment when you’re casually browsing eBay sold listings and suddenly do a double-take? That happened to me recently with Cherrypickers Guides. Copies that sold for pocket change just years ago are now fetching hundreds! As someone who’s collected coins for decades, I had to figure out why these reference books became so valuable. Let me share what I discovered.
Scarcity and Out-of-Print Status
Plain and simple: you can’t buy these new anymore. That classic supply crunch hits hard when a specialized reference goes out of print. Collectors are snapping up remaining copies faster than a 1909-S VDB at a yard sale. I chuckle remembering when I bought mine for less than dinner money – now they trade like rare coins themselves.
- We’ve all seen this before in numismatics – once a key reference stops printing, prices take off like a rocket
- Even with rumors of new editions floating around, the scarcity keeps pushing values higher month after month
The Elusive New Edition Saga
Remember when Whitman mentioned an August 2023 release? Yeah, me neither. This book’s become the Duke Nukem Forever of numismatic publishing – perpetually “coming soon” since at least 2020. From chatting with folks in the know, it sounds like organizational chaos behind the scenes. Last-minute rewrites, contributor delays… the whole process seems stuck in neutral.
There’s even gossip about royalty disputes over variety discoveries. But here’s my take: you can’t copyright a doubled die, only someone’s description of it. Still, it shows how messy compiling accurate variety data can be when egos get involved.
Market Shifts and Collector Trends
Walk into any coin shop lately and you’ll notice something interesting – collectors are diving deep into early series like Bust halves and Capped Bust coins. Modern issues just don’t excite many folks like they used to. This return to classic U.S. coinage naturally boosts demand for variety guides. Dealers tell me reference books fly off shelves right behind those early silver dollars.
Practical Advice for Fellow Collectors
If you’ve got these guides gathering dust, or you’re hunting for copies, here’s what I’d suggest:
- Hold what you’ve got – these are blue-chip references appreciating before our eyes
- For daily variety checks, lean on free online tools like Variety Vista or PCGS CoinFacts – often more current anyway
- Cross-check older guide listings – we’ve all found errors that could cost you money on attribution
- Set eBay alerts and wait for sane prices – patience pays when hype drives markets
Final Thoughts on the Future
What we’re seeing is that perfect collectible storm: no new copies, endless delays on updates, and renewed interest in classic varieties. Even if a new edition finally appears, these original guides have earned their place as numismatic artifacts. As collectors, we adapt – using digital resources while appreciating these physical pieces of our hobby’s history. Now go check your shelves – you might be sitting on a little goldmine!
