Do you think people should get cherrypickers guides? What do they basically tell you about? Whats the difference between the 4th and 5th edition and are these decent prices to pay for them?? http://www.amazon.com/Cherrypickers-Guide-Bill-Fivas/dp/0794822851/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345861716&sr=8-1&keywords=cherrypickers+guide http://www.amazon.com/Cherrypickers...345861716&sr=8-2&keywords=cherrypickers+guide
Can't tell you much about the price but the books are cool to have if you have an interest in varieties. I enjoy them.
They are basically the cream of the major varieties. Similar information is available on many other sites such as www.indiancent.com, Lincoln Cent resource site, coppercoins.com, Vamworld.com, etc. , but it is convenient to have those 2 books at hand, rather than tracking things oneself or asking here. Also if a variety shows in CPG, it is usually one that an amateur can decide if they have the same one. It is a starting place for variety hunters, but not a substitute for more extensive knowledge and history needed to be very successful at it. Amazon has a good price for new, sometimes they show up on ebay a little cheaper, but you don't have any ebay problems with amazon. Jim
If you are looking for an inside track to profit, its possible you will spend more on the book than you will ever make back on coins. Considering the listed varieties are what everyone looks for, "Cherrypickers" is kind of a misnomer. Other than the popularity contest of listed coins, you might do better by learning how to identify different varieties on your own. While the books are nice and have their place, they are often vague and not the attribution references many seem to assume. Nice to have in the library, but I wouldn't spend the money on the new edition. Cost vs. value just isn't there IMO.
It depends entirely on your own knowledge base and sources of reference. For many collectors, The 5th edition Vol I is a must have. There are some of the newer scarcities of LMCs listed like the 1988 RDV006 and the 1992 CAM listed with the FS catelogue numbers. Heritage just sold a MS64 1992 CAM cent for more than $20,000. There are also some others that command healthy premiums like the 1983 DDO which can run $2-3000.
If you are into varieties, the CPG is a must have resource. Be sure to buy the most recent edition though, as new items enter and exit with each edition. TC
