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 Replies: 8 / Views: 2,205 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
521 Posts |
I'm about 1.5 months into my coin collecting journey and I just got a blue book, I think it's named. It's the Whitman dealer price book. Up until now, I've been just using the Red Book as a price guide. The blue book gives me a better perspective. One coin shop owner told me that I should reference both and feel good if I get a price in between. Anyway, I noticed there are significant differences in the price differences at times, while at other times the prices are closer. For example, a G4 1916s Mercury dime lists at $3/$4 and at EF40 it's $10/$20. Another example is an 1845 large cent which at VG8 goes $9/$22 and at EF40 $30/$75. So how do I interpret this information? I am not sure. It seems as if some items are over/under valued by collectors. Would a larger price discrepancy indicate a 'hot' coin? Am I, or any buyer, getting a better deal on the coins showing a closer price listing? Any insight would be greatly appreciated P.S. I am not into coin collecting for investment purposes; however, If it's a toss up on what coin to buy, I'd just as soon go for the better value and I would like to see my coins appreciate over the long term, of course. |
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1745 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
I agree, RedBook and the blue book tend to be marked up prices. And I also agree that numismedia.com is an excellent reference. But with both the red and blue books any coin over a couple hundred dollars is expected to be slabbed and the price would drop for an unslabbed version. With Numistmedia.com I believe right on there page mentions that there guide is also for slabbed coins, or maybe they say "properly graded" which would imply 3rd party graded... The only problem I've had with numismedia.com is they have had some super inconsistencies when it comes to looking up the values of my coins- for instance take an 1820 small date large cent: RedBook has EF listed at $250, and AU at $450, while numismedia has EF at $690, and AU at $870... Which is extremely high (IMO) Most coins they are pretty darn close with buy I've noticed a few examples such as the 1820 sm date large where they are just way out of the ballpark. I still believe that the best way to find real market value is to check the completed listings on ebay... Then you get to see what people are actually paying for these coins... Today. And a close second to that would be to subscribe to the grey sheet... Of corse it sucks to has to pay to subscribe to it but most dealers (in my area at least) tend to stick pretty close to grey sheet prices. |
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
I too agree with checking completed ebay auctions.That will give you a current value and real world values,in other words "what people are really paying". John1  |
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Valued Member
United States
362 Posts |
 With the numismedia.com for fair values or when I'm buying a coin. When selling I use ebay and or one of the TPG website coin value websites. I also try to, once a month before I buy anything, go on ebay and bid on 30 to 50 coins using extreme lowball offers with free shipping. I'm usually successful on one of the offers per month. For example I bid 5 cents on a 1946 Roosevelt dime that the auction ended at 3am est. The best part is they shipped it! So that's my 2 cents worth and hope you enjoy your new hobby!  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
Neither is a good source for prices. Drop a few bucks and order Greysheets if you need good prices. It's what dealers and savy collectors use. http://www.greysheet.com/Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I sort of disagree with most here on this one. True the Blue book is sort of a joke with any prices. Yet the Red Book is fairly accurate but for a long time in the future. By that I mean I presenty use the 2010 Red Book for prices and find it is rather accurate when checking at coin shows, ebay, other on line dealers and even with Numismedia. And the 2009 is even closer to realism. I always suggest people to look at used book stores or even flea markets for those older versions. True they will not have info on present day coinage but for prices, I find decent. |
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Bedrock of the Community
13014 Posts |
The biggest problem with Red Book is that the prices are always outdated. They have to spend time to get all the prices then get the books published and shipped. By the time you get it the prices are already outdated and then take into account they last for a year. Numismedia is good because they update it and ebay listings show what people are paying and when. Its impossible to set hard prices since some coins look better than others even in the same grade but theyre great for ball park figures. |
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Replies: 8 / Views: 2,205 |
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Posted 12/19/2012 11:11 pm
