During the 45-year span between my first coin collection and the current one, one thing has remained the same: the 1909-S VDB probably is the most recognized rare coin. When I was a kid, Mad magazine did a cartoon set about a guy leaving a penny for lousy service. The gag: It turned out to be a 1909-S VDB.....
Also, it turns out that I have a 1899 $1 Black Eagle silver certificate. Not a coin, but still related. I paid $10 for it 2 years ago. It is worth about $105. That is my rarest and favorite thing in my collection.
Hmmm...I'm sure I have coins that are more rare than my 1916-D mercury dime, but it is the most valuable coin I own. I do have a few ancients that are probably more rare.
1806 O-127a R-7 1806 O-127a R-7 Grade: G-4 [Note: no condition census given for die state. However, O-127: 20,20,15,12,12) Obverse: 12-s2 Reverse: H Diagnostics: Obverse: Die Crack, Y above T at top. Reverse: Berries do not have stems. It was an R-7, now R-6+ It was 4 to 12 known, now about 13.
If talking die states 1818 O-104b---estimated total of 12 examples. If talking die marriages, probably 1827 O-124 (estimated 35 examples) If talking about overall date rarity... one of 1794 1801 or 1802 halves--all with estimated survival rates of under 1000 for the individual dates.
It's tough to be realistic about errors. It's not too difficult to acquire a "unique" coin. I would guess that my rarest "mainstream" coin is this 1998 over 1997 cent. The single denomination is far scarcer than the dual denomination with different dates (e.g. 1998 cent on 1997 dime). Of course this excludes a coin struck on a very old coin someone obviously threw in a bin. Not an error IMO.
I agree mintage and survival rate are only important if they are highly desirable. My 1913 Barber half has a mintage of 188,000. That may be the lowest.
Alexander III (Circa 302BC - 289 BC) Babylonian Mint While Alexander III coins from the Babylonian Mint are not incredibly rare by ancient standards, this one with an H underneath Zeus' throne is somewhat uncommon. Only ever seen one with the H on sale. It was in an auction. Only other place I ever saw it referenced was in a very old volume on ancient Greek coinage.
My rarest is a CWT store card, Rarity 10 meaning unique, one known. Next would be several Rarity 9 tokens which are 2-4 pieces known. US mint coins would be a Proof 1864 large motto two cent piece. Mintage estimated at 100, less known small motto pieces approximately 43 pieces exist.
I have three R10 (unique) Civil War tokens - one patriotic and two store cards, about 50 R9s (2-4) and around 200 R8s (5-10), plus about 30 unlisted cwts. I also collect MITAD tokens, where populations of more than 9 known are considered "common".
Possibly my rarest ancient. Thing is, rarities are not rare in ancients. Constantine I, AD 306-337 AE, follis, 3.02g, 19mm; 6h; Siscia, AD 319 Obv.: IMP CONSTANTINVS AVG; laureate, helmeted, and cuirassed bust right Rev.: VICT LAETAE PRINC PERP; two victories standing, facing one another, together holding shield inscribed VOT/PR on altar with S In. Exe.: dot ЄSIS dot Only three others known One very rare military trade token: Sorry for the poor pictures. Made no earlier than 1982. I have examples of tokens from bases and radar stations that only existed for a few years, like Patterson Field, OH; Jeolton AFS, Tennessee; Wolters AFB, Texas; tokens with mintages of less than five hundred known, etc.
Tough. Call. This one a rather tough die marriage b-2 bb-20 This one just a tough coin with a low survival rate
Based on quantity, this is probably the rarest coin I own. The clash marks are from the $20 gold piece.