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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,222 |
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New Member
United States
27 Posts |
I've been reading soon library books about coin they say rarity depends on mintage hummmmm who decide rarity and at what mintage is rare like the 1921-d is that rare or just rare in that set and the 1890 seat liberty is that rarer and why   |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
What the book didn't explain is conditional rarity ,,
Low mintages produce rarity on one level ,,based on the number of coins which were actually minted .
conditional rarity produces rarity on the number of coins which remain that exceed a certian grade ,,each series has their examples of conditional rarity coins .
There is no real hard and fast rule for how low the mintage needs to be to produce rarity .
Metalman
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Pillar of the Community
United States
812 Posts |
Mintage is one aspect of rarity. Survival is another. For example, many silver coins have been melted over the years, sometimes a large number from a specific year and mint mark. So it is possible for a high mintage coin to actually be rare. And sometimes coins with a small mintage were saved more than most, so they are less rare than mintage would indicate because of high survival rate.
I think part of your question is about how rarity relates to value. There were almost half a million 1909-S VDB cents minted, and many have survived. There are many coins that are far more rare, yet worth far less. The 09-S VDB is the lowest mintage date/mint mark of a very popular series, so there is great demand. Low mintage figures for a coin with relatively little demand means a more modest value.
Value is based on supply and demand. A low mintage means a limited supply, but that is only part of the equation.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1173 Posts |
As others have noted, it's not how many were minted, but rather how many and in what condition are available relative to the demand for that particular coin. Some series are very popular (Lincoln Cents, Mercury dimes, etc.) so the increased demand for coins elevates values of coins that are not as rare as their prices would indicate. And sometimes, particularly in early nineteenth century US coinage, the mint had trouble getting really good business strikes, so coins in higher grades are unusually rare relative to their mintage or survivability numbers. That's one of the reasons coin collecting is so intriguing...nothing much about it is cut-and-dried. |
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New Member
 United States
27 Posts |
Ok I got those parts but I'm looking a my pricing guides I go buy and I see 1890 with only 200,600 @ $55. in good-4 and the walking liberty @208,000 . 8,000 more at $285. in good-4 that don't make sense to me that's why I'm asking this question I guess the question would be at what point(number ) would you as they go in to rarity spot light I would think the 200.600 would be a rare coin to get a hold of over the 1921-d don't get me wrong they both would be good coins to have I just don't get it
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New Member
United States
3 Posts |
When it comes down to the bottom line a coin is only worth what someone will give you for it. So you could say that we as collectors set the value of coins. You should allways remember that price guides are just that,guides. You will learn all to quickly that when someone is selling a coin it is more valued than the same coin is when they are trying to buy it. There is just no short cut to experience. Don't be afraid to ask questions. The only thing collectors like better than collection is telling some one about them.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
812 Posts |
The main reason for the difference in value between a 1921-D Walking Liberty and an 1891 Seated Half is "demand." While it's impossible to prove, I think it's reasonable to assume approximately the same number of 1891 and 1921-D halves survive today in G-4. Walking Liberty halves are very popular, and many collectors try to acquire all the dates. Seated halves are less popular, and many collectors just want an example for a "Type" collection. This demand accounts for a lot of cases where two coins with similar mintages and survival rates have vastly different values. Demand for and popularity of series can and does change over time. Perhaps grabbing an 1891 at today's prices will prove to be a shrewd investment. Or perhaps not. Edited by Bilbo
11/05/2007 2:11 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Pretty much alrady explained. Price and demand. How many were minted but how many are still around is pertinent to value. Example is the 31S Lincoln Cent. So many save them in high grades that although a low mintage, not much value. Also, watch out for price guides. Remember those are compiled by people that think they know what they are doing and many times don't. Sort of like believing the wearther people on TV. As noted the prices are based on what people want. Another example is the famous 57 Chevy. A top condition convertible is worth a lot since every one wants one. Millions made, so what. 66 Chrysler Imperial only about a few thousand made but worth barely a few thousand. No one wants them even though it was the Green Hornet's car. Opps. No one knows who that is. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Of course we know who that was, it was Britt Reid the young publisher of The Daily Sentinel. And his car was The Black Beauty driven by Kato.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,222 |
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Posted 11/04/2007 9:34 pm
