Price guides: Which are the worst?

MrEureka

Name the guide and tell us the problem.

Prices too high? Too low? All over the place?

Serious conflicts of interest?

Too little credibility? Too much credibility?

doh

My least favorite is the Redbook. The prices for key dates aren't even close. To be fair, in this market few price guides hit the nail on the head though. I think auction records on Heritage and eBay are the best indicator of value.

Doogy

These four are to be avoided:


"ACG coin price guide - The Authority in Numismatic Pricing"

"NNC coin grading and pricing - how best to get the most of your coins"

"the complete PDCS and NDC Price Guide for 2008"

" the guidebook of grading and pricing culls, slags, drek, widgets and rounds"

PerryHall

The Blue Book. Prices are insultingly low ball for many coins.

291fifth

None are really any good. Gray sheet is probably the most usable for "ordinary" coins.

DRUNNER

I use the Teletrade Price Guide along with Heritage for the better stuff. If it sells at auction, I think you have a fairly good idea of what it is worth . . .

Drunner

BECOKA

I'm with DRUNNER although that does not answer which is the worst.

I think gray sheet is borderline my least favorite. Everyone seems to use it but in different ways. Some dealers pay 20% less than gray sheet and charge 20% more. Some dealers pay graysheet and charge 40% more.

I wish there was a dealer network that would agree upon a price guide guideline. i.e. if they use gray sheet buy in the range of bid and ask for common stuff. Charge whatever you want above that.

Mercury10c

Is it ok to say that the PCGS price guide is the worst?
If my registry Franklin sets were worth anywhere near what
their price guide says, it would be gone before you could blink.