What makes a coin rare and valuable?

[MEV]

Hello my friend found a coin with his e trac , and im wondering what makes a coin rare and valuable, i know some of you are going to tell me look it up on google a already did, but i would like better opinions of you guys

Thanks

 

[hazelwood]

Quantity minted and condition of Coin

 

[Chris(SoCenWI)]

There are plenty of rare coins that are not worth that much because there are not many people who are collecting them. The ones that tend to be most valuable in inverse relation to their rarity tend to be types of coins where people are trying to collect every date and mint mark, like Indian head pennies or Mercury dimes.

 

[Altamaha]

Hi Mev;

Many factors are considered when determining the rarity, desirability & value of a coin.

- Quantity minted/put into circulation

- Quantity remaining/known - in particular grades

- Desirability & value can also be influenced by publicity (how much do collectors know about a certain rare coin).

- Rarity in existence or rarity in existence at higher grades. For this reason depending on the particular coin a difference in grade of a few points can mean a difference of hundreds/thousands dollars in value.
This is why I cringe when I see these guys on their videos rubbing (obviously not serious collectors) the heck out of coins as soon as they pull them out of the ground. When rubbing a coin no matter how lightly (especially silver) it may look nice and shiny;
but fine grit can put scratches on a coin that look like valleys under a magnifying class & severely reduce the coins' grade & value! Take a small squirt bottle (more like an archaeologist) with you and use that to remove dirt from and protect a coin if you just can't wait until later to clean it.
-

 

[Dale(Ia)]

Hi Mev;

Many factors are considered when determining the rarity, desirability & value of a coin.

- Quantity minted/put into circulation

- Quantity remaining/known - in particular grades

- Desirability & value can also be influenced by publicity (how much do collectors know about a certain rare coin).

- Rarity in existence or rarity in existence at higher grades. For this reason depending on the particular coin a difference in grade of a few points can mean a difference of hundreds/thousands dollars in value.
This is why I cringe when I see these guys on their videos rubbing (obviously not serious collectors) the heck out of coins as soon as they pull them out of the ground. When rubbing a coin no matter how lightly (especially silver) it may look nice and shiny;
but fine grit can put scratches on a coin that look like valleys under a magnifying class & severely reduce the coins' grade & value! Take a small squirt bottle (more like an archaeologist) with you and use that to remove dirt from and protect a coin if you just can't wait until later to clean it.
-

Nice reply & good advice, Altamaha!

Iowa Dale

 

[ironsight]

..........
This is why I cringe when I see these guys on their videos rubbing (obviously not serious collectors) the heck out of coins as soon as they pull them out of the ground. When rubbing a coin no matter how lightly (especially silver) it may look nice and shiny;
but fine grit can put scratches on a coin that look like valleys under a magnifying class & severely reduce the coins' grade & value! Take a small squirt bottle (more like an archaeologist) with you and use that to remove dirt from and protect a coin if you just can't wait until later to clean it.
-

Yeah, that makes me crazier than i am too! Don't know what these guys are thinking other than showing quickly for the camera what they found.
Guess they're after more fame than fortune!

 

[MEV]

Wow , thank you so mucho for your response!!!!!