Which of the "Common Rarities" in U.S Numismatics is the Most Overpriced?

I do not really collect what I call the "Common Rarities" in U.S numismatics. However, it would be interesting to know which of these is the most overpriced when one considers:

A. The prices they fetch
B. The Number of examples estimated to exist

As examples, and I certainly am no expert but these are the ones I most commonly hear about:

- 1893 S Morgan
- 1877 Cent
- 1942 D 42 over 41 Dime
- 1916 D dime
- 1909 s vdb cent
- 1916 Standing Liberty Quarter

any others?

So which is/are in your opinion the most overpriced of this group?

 

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To me the 1909 s vdb cent is at the top of the list.

 

+1, IMO the 1909 S VDB is just plain common rather than a common rarity. It's not even rare in low/mid MS grades.

 

I'm going to say the 42. Cuz we collectors love that kinda got to have it stuff

 

I too vote 1909-S, VDB. The price has been driven by the mystique of the piece. Every young collector would dream of this one as though it was the Holy grail. Now that we are no longer young collectors, we have driven the price point. Absolutely 1909-S, VDB is super over inflated.

 

Have to add the 1950-D nickel

 

I think I made it too easy - the 1909 s vdb cent is so obvious (even to me) that maybe we should vote for number 2 in the list.

 

Well, I agree with the obvious 1909-S VDB cent.

 

Keep in mind, folks, that while we all like to talk about coin rarity, price is not on driven alone by numbers extant or available, but just as importantly by demand. Most of us have proudly owned pieces we know to be “one of” but they'll never bring megabucks because few if any others give a hoot about that area of specialty. One must always remember that market prices are driven by supply and demand.

 

My first thought was the 09-S VDB, but I'm starting to think the 16-D dime might deserve more of our wrath.

 

The 1982 D small date copper LMC, you know the one that gets everyone in a tizzy. The holy grail of every coin collector out there right next to the 1964 Morgan Dollar (not the one you see on late night TV).

 

While I agree that it isn't "rare" one has to remember that at least half the 16-D dimes out there aren't actually 16-D dimes.

 

All are common and all are over priced when compared to other much rarer dates with much lower pops. The Svdb is the most over rated.

 

I do own a 1964 Morgan Dollar. Not a copy or tribute. But it is a fantasy over date. Dan Carr.

 

I asked about this a while back in Why is 1909S VDB more expensive than 1909S?

In MS grades, 1909-S VDB has four times the population compared to 1909-S. Yet, it also has four times the price, for a 16-1 ratio.

So that has to get my vote for over-rated. I have not thrown any money at the -S VDB, but if it were to drop to 1/4 of the 1909-S price in MS-65, it should cost only about $150.

 

What is not "common" anymore given that so many inventories across so many countries are visible to us in our homes? A world-wide coin show 24/7! There are still a lot of collectors looking for specific conditions, grades, and/or looks for all those keys mentioned. As said before, demand is just as important as supply. Look those keys up in "Sold" for proof of demand. Coin collectors have never been so fortunate to have so many buying opportunities.

 

This is why we must study.

 

I’m not sure I buy this. Yes, the graded ratios may be what you suggest, but I suggest a MUCH higher proportion of S-VDB’s are in plastic, hence in the (artificial) populations, than is the case for plain 09-S. Now you can CHOOSE to count those pops as real if you like. I don’t and I won’t, as in EVER.

 

'93-S Morgan. I believe that a while back I saw 9,500 slabbed. I don't believe that any half cent variety is as common as that.

 

agreed, the sVDB is worth grading even in a G4, but I wouldn't be forking out $20+ to get a G4 09-S graded.

I also don't have a 09-S VDB anymore due to the fact that they are EVERYWHERE. Every coin shop you walk into has at least one either raw or slabbed.

Outside of the 93-S Morgan and 16 SLQ, I've owned at one time or another, every other one of these coins. Mine were of lower grade, but none the less all owned.

Lets not forget some of those population reports are from people cracking and sending back in...