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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Long Beard, post: 3892910, member: 108674&quot;]I&#039;ve been collecting steadily for many, many years. In that time I have seen the hobby grow and decline for various reasons. As a member of two forums, having added this one as the second in recent days, a few things stick out as number one topics based on the posts. Which also hold true at coin shows, clubs and so forth. The number one topic seems to involve Lincoln Cents, and for good reason. It is the number one denomination/series everyone has or does collect. Getting back on topic, the second most common, are the &quot;what&#039;s it worth&quot; slash &quot;Is this rare&quot; posts. So I hope this post clears things up somewhat.</p><p><br /></p><p>Since I&#039;m a fan of the lowly dime, having every one back to 1885 (minus the varieties proofs and of course that 1894s Barber), I&#039;ll use these as an example. Every other denomination is similar should you wish to further examine your favorite. So, let&#039;s begin by looking at two coins in a middle grade of Mint State 64 (MS64) and based on PCGS listings since they are the top third party grader. The other graders are similar.</p><p><br /></p><p>We&#039;ll start with the 1916d Winged Liberty (Mercury, as they are known) having the lowest mintage of the series at 264,000. Currently there are 107 available and 72 grading higher, MS67 being the top pop. The current average cost, based on a ten year average, is $16,446. Again, this is an average for discussion. Many variables add to the actual price realized such as eye appeal, provenance and so on.</p><p><br /></p><p>Next, the 1867 Seated Liberty. The series which I am currently one-third through and lacking said specimen. Only a paltry 6,000 coins were struck. Of these, 15 made the grade with another 33 higher, MS67 is also the highest. Based on the same ten year average it brings $2,256.20 at auction.</p><p><br /></p><p>In terms of rarity, the latter would be. So why isn&#039;t the much lower mintage of 1867 worth far more than the 1916d? To add to this, nearly a third of the series are below 50,000 struck, many of those below 15,000. Common sense would suggest that any of these should be. Yet only a few exceed the 1916d in terms of cost. Low mintage and rarity are both confusing and contradictive when assigning a value. Especially to those new to the hobby and even more so to those who do not. It boils down to a single fact. Popularity. Even the non-collector knows what a 1916d is and that it&#039;s &quot;valuable&quot;. Which in reality it is if you are looking to acquire one. Yet, again, the term value applies more to the 1867 comparative looking at the number available versus the number of collectors. Only 6,000 collectors will ever own one. However, not every collector desires one. Repeating myself, popularity.</p><p><br /></p><p>To close, and apologize for being long winded, I challenge you to look over what ever you collect for the hidden value lurking within. Collect what you like, enjoy what you collect. They don&#039;t have to be pristine third party graded. In my humble opinion, ALL United States coinage are beautiful works of art. Not to forget historical.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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