How good are the values quoted in the Cherrypickers' Guide when compared to the real world? I'm interested in actual experiences with buying or selling these varieties.
My experience is its all over the place. Some prices are extremly low compared to what the actual sales prices are and some are extremly high.:goof: I don't pay attention to their price guides anymore and search the auctions for past sales if I looking to buy something.
kanga: I find that for the major varieties that cherrypickers' prices are okay. For the minor items they are all over the place.
Not surprising. Major varieties show up in the pricing guides, so their values are well documented. I was looking at Cherrypickers' and found that my 1858 LL FE is actually a 1858/7 (it's in a TPG for attribution.) Later I found out it's a well know and listed variety. Cherrypickers' and CDN agree on its approximate value. It was in a PCGS holder as AU-58. Based on the notes I'm making about my Roosevelt dimes, it appears that in general the "S" mintmark was rarely crisp. That's why I'm having trouble deciding between OMM's, RPM's or just poor or worn mintmarks. Also found a proof with what appears to be mechanical doubling. That was unexpected. I thought the Mint was very careful with proof coins.
kanga: The mint was once careful, but........ look at the Red Book for a listing of all of the missing S coins that were released. You would have thought that they would have noticed a little thing like a mintmark.
True, but my coin is a 1953 proof dime. I think the Mint was still a bit conscientious at that time. Let me see if I can get an image of it. I could be wrong about the mechanical doubling, but I don't think so.
My poor little 3 Mpixel digital camera doesn't do very well when you need closeups. BUT you'll get the idea of what I'm seeing from this image: It's particularly evident at the tops of "RIC". I see it as mechanical doubling.
Hi Kanga, You poor little camera did just fine with this picture. It does appear to be mechanical doubling.. providing the doubling part is 'shelf like' with a squared edge instead of slightly rounded like the actual devices. I checked my 1953 S Roosevelt and it does not appear at all to be MS quality even though I know it is uncirculated. I think the best I could give my coin is 'AU whatever'. Just an observation. Still, your coin is more unique than mine because it has something extra... even if the pros don't think it is rare. jeankay
