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Bluebook vs. Greysheet

GeomanGeoman Posts: 2,491 ✭✭✭
Just curious, what do most of you use when buying coins?

I have always thought the greysheet was what dealers use, and I see them and collectors referring to them at shows, etc. Even my local dealer pulls out a greysheet in his store when trying to look up a price. And I also thought the greysheet was priced lower than the Redbook, thinking the greysheet is afterall the "coin dealer's newsletter" etc. And thought the Redbook was more like retail that average collectors use. But someone just told me that the greysheet is higher in prices than the Bluebook, and that it is almost full retail for prices. And that I should try and buy at Bluebook prices when buying coin collections.

Any comments?

Comments

  • commoncents05commoncents05 Posts: 10,096 ✭✭✭
    Redbook and bluebook prices are basically worthless IMO. Greysheet can be used as a good price indicator of most things, but prices for some issues aren't even close.

    -Paul
    Many Quality coins for sale at http://www.CommonCentsRareCoins.com
  • MrEurekaMrEureka Posts: 24,416 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Just curious, what do most of you use when buying coins?

    The brain can be a useful tool.
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • SteveSteve Posts: 3,312 ✭✭✭
    William,
    The best thing you can do is LEARN how the coin market operates. There is no way you can look at ANY printed price for a given coin and expect to either "buy" it or "sell" it at that price. There is a range value for coins and you should understand what that range is. At the bottom of the range is what you could expect to sell your coins and at the top of the range is what you could expect to pay for a coin you wanted. Of course, the ACTUAL coin and what it looks like will also play into the price. So the best price guide is to look at all of them and relate them to a coin you want to buy or a coin you want to sell. If you own a coin and you want to determine it's value, then try to use the low value because it is conservative and more likely would be what you could get for the coin. If you WANT a certain coin, then base your purchasing on the high value, try to negotiate down, but be prepared to pay high if the coin is REALLY what you want. A long winded answer, but I think better than what you will find in the Red Book or CDN. Steveimage
  • PerryHallPerryHall Posts: 46,832 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The Bluebook are the prices a dishonest dealer will pay a widow for her disceased husbands collection.

    Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
    "Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
    "Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire

  • When buying coins, I use the red book, population reports and trends to determine what I will pay for a coin.
    Retired U.S. Army Paratrooper 1977- 1992 Served Proudly. 100% DAV
    All The Way - And Then Some
    I collect Modern Commemoratives
    and anything Franklin.
    image
  • SeattleSlammerSeattleSlammer Posts: 10,049 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If a dealer pulls out a bluesheet on you and you have a half-way decent looking coin, run like hell! Blusheet prices should only be considered for fugly coins. In most cases, bluehseet is an insult.

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