Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;robinjojo, post: 8538305, member: 110226&quot;]Rarity, while at least in theory a measure of surviving examples of a given coin type.&nbsp; At least that is the case with modern coins.&nbsp; Other parameters, such as date, condition, mint, die varieties, errors, etcetera often also apply.</p><p><br /></p><p>However the caveat for ancients as far as rarity applies is the wildcard of hoards.&nbsp; What is very scarce or rare can change almost over night if a hoard appears on the market.&nbsp; Auction records and private sales can be useful guide, insofar that they reflect a high percent of sales for a given coin type.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>But there are other factors when it comes to ancient coins: metal quality, style, centering, flan, toning (for silvers coins) and in the case of bronze coins, patina and surface conditions.&nbsp; In other words a coin could be quite common, but possesses unusually beautiful die style, or is struck on a large flan for the type allowing most or all detail to be present.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>So I see rarity in the context of ancient coins as being driven not only by a coin&#039;s census, but also by more intangible aspects that make a coin desirable irrespective of numbers available on the market at any given time.&nbsp; This factor of desirability is really quite subjective, and while an ancient might be fortunate to have this factor, it does not necessarily translate into a higher value.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>It seems, based on my experience, that coins with a reputation for beauty, such as Syracusan coinage, generally bring high bids at auction, regardless of the number of examples that appear over the years on dealers&#039; lists and through auctions.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in