Population reports?

[Rob D.]

We often see the numbers in population reports cited on the board. We also see population reports' information discounted because of presumed inaccuracies. Some folks are prone to do both.

So what's your take on the pop reports?

[DixieBaseball]

I am sure the answers will be all over the board, but I find the Pop reports to be very useful on issues where there is less than 10-15 of any 1 example.(Only on very scarce to rarely collected type issues). Obviously less turnover, so less chance for inconsistency. I can not speak to more widely collected issues such as T206 and the like...

Bottom Line - I think the answer depends on what you collect.

[Matt]

I vote none of the above:

I think they are inaccurate, but use them on a relative basis to compare issues to other issues. In other words, they are a good indication that V100s are tougher than E102s, but I don't think the number of E102s in the pop report is an accurate reflection of the actual number of E102s in existence.

[SetBuilder]

.

[doug.goodman]

... since most collectors slab the old cards. Especially the ones in NM condition.

I respectfully disagree.