What makes a "key" date?

I think you are really wrong maybe everything is RARE! Not a Key Date! RARE COINS for SALE! a Bargain! RARE RARE! I want medium Rare ok?

 

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but people refuse to believe it.

 

It's a "key" if it "unlocks" the set.

Presumably the keys are the coins which would be more difficult to obtain than the other coins in the set assuming that acquisition is primarily through roll or pocket change searchs.

Of course, over the years, this ha has changed in that most "keys" are readily available from dealers.

Perhaps it would be best to view "keys" as "hyped" or "promoted" coins that have relevance to a series of coins.

 

And you mustn't forget the always-desirable SIMI-KEYS.

I think it's derived from "simian", as in "we hire monkeys to key in our auction titles".

 

I like this list of keys for the Barber halves. How could they not list the 04-S? I'd love to buy off of them if they sold quality VF's. :yes: