What slabbed coins do you have with low populations? I have a PCGS MS63RB 1945-D penny with a population of 7, a PCGS MS65+ 1945-P war nickel with a population of 8, and PGCS MS63 1971-D and 1973-D quarters (I got a great deal on them) with populations of 19 and 18 respectively.
My 1857-O dime PCGS AU 50 has a pop of 16 with 157 higher. Probably the best I'm going to do other than ultra modern coins.
Low populations for all grades of that coin, or just that grade? If per grade, I have a Japanese gold coin with 30, $5 us gold with 33, fractional US gold with 15, and then this with a population of 1
Well, I have this here Prooflike half cent. It's the only one graded IN THE ENTIRE SERIES. Is that rare enough for you?
If we are counting designations, here are a few that come to mind: 1906 PCGS PF65+ DCAM 5c CAC - The only DCAM at PCGS in any grade. NGC has never certified a UCAM in any grade. 1905 NGC PF67 CAM 5c - Pop 4/0. 1939 NGC PF67* Cameo 10c - One of only 4 star cameo coins for the entire series. Of all 1939 PF67 cameos (including non-star cameos), there are probably less than 30 between all of the services. 1942 NGC PF67 CAM 10c CAC - One of only 11 cameos in all grades combined at both NGC and PCGS. 1939 PCGS PF65 CAM 50c - The sole finest (numerically) known. One of two cameos of this date between both NGC and PCGS (the other being a PF64 CAM). 1942 NGC PF66 CAM 50c - One of only 17 cameos for the entire series in all grades combined. 1941-S NGC MS67+ FB PL CAC 10c - One of only two 67+ PLs (I own both). There are 2 or 3 in 68 IIRC. I also recently sold a PL half cent (classic head) that was one of 6 for the entire series.
Always wondered where that one resided. It's almost Cameo. Is it the same die as the Proofs? You win, by the way. Me, I've got a Pop 12/0 coming, but aside a couple Condition Census 1921 VAMs that's my only claim to fame.
Of course it all depends on your definition of "rare". I have a number of varieties in my set that have a population of 1/0 in all grades at PCGS but it's a reflection of the collector base certifying these varieties (not very popular). However, here's one that has a pop 2 in all grades at PCGS and a truly rare (I would guess based on my research that less than 10 are known, especially in problem-free condition) Mexico 1814/3-HJ 8 Reales in PCGS VF35. Ex: Jose Leunda collection. In 1814 there was a change in the second assayer at Mexico City Mint and Henrique Azorin (assayer H) was replaced by Jose Garcia Ansaldo (assayer J). Joaquin Davila Madrid (assayer J) continued on. The assayer combination HJ was minted very briefly in 1814 and was replaced by JJ (which is a common coin). There was only one obverse die used with HJ initials and that die shows an overdate 1814/3.
Course I didn't forget that one I just didn't want to overwhelm the thread with all of my rare PL/DPL coins. But since you asked for it! NGC MS-64 DPL - the only DPL Seated Quarter in the entire series.