Expert: Joe Hylas - 6/2/2006

Question
I have a basic coin collecting question here. I've been dabbling in this hobby for years now but I would like an experts opinion on this matter. Which of the coin pricing guides do you like best (ie red book, black book, or one of the others)?
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Followup To

Question -
Why are the 2001 silver proof sets so much more expensive than the 2000 silver proof sets. I know the mint made almost 100,000 less sets in 2001. Is that why?

Answer -
Hi Brian,
Certainly mintage plays a part in the rarity of coins, but also popularity.  Whenever you get a state, such as NY in 2001, with a huge collector base, there is more demand.
It's a set worth acquiring if you don't already have it.

Regards
Joe Hylas

Answer
HI Brian,
What you have to remember is that books like the Red Book or Black book are basically printed a year in advance, that is the 2007 books will probably be out this summer.
Hence the values are speculative at best.  There are many coins listed in the 2006 Red Book, a retail guie, that can not be purchased at those levels, you must pay much more.
The PCGS Price Guide, online, is pretty accurate as are the other publications.
But remember that any price guide gets it's info from transactions that are public, eg. auctions over the dealer teletypes etc., they do no take into account private transactions that are not reported, unless the dealer notifies them.
Look at COINWORLD and see what dealers sell their coins for, wholesale is usually about 20% less

Regards
Joe Hylas