Scarcity and RarityRarity ratings for ancient coins in sales catalogs, including FORVM ANCIENT COINS's catalog, are based on some or all of the following: An exact degree of scarcity and rarity of ancient coins is rarely certain. Also, the rarity of a type can change if a hoard is discovered. Often coins that were once listed as rare in references are only cataloged as scarce and coins that were once scarce are cataloged as common today. Although unusual, a cataloger may also believe a coin is rarer than a published rarity rating or the number of examples in collections implies. Highly desirable coins are found in disproportionately high numbers in publications and collections because they were sought for each publication or collection with greater effort than other coins. Such coins may actually be quite scarce or rare. Also, the cataloger may know or think a published rarity rating is in error. Another rarity consideration is how narrowly the type or variant is defined. A rarity rating might apply to the general type or to a narrowly defined variety. A particular coin of a short reigning emperor may be listed as common but overall the coins of that emperor are much rarer than those of Constantine, for example, who issued millions of coins. Yet, many Constantine variants are identified as rare or even extremely rare. Rarity might even refer to a specific mint workshop (officina) or control mark on the coin. The same issue applies to Greek coins. The coins of a city in general might be common or rare, but even in a city that issued many coins, the coins of a specific magistrate, with a certain monogram or a specific control mark might be unpublished and thus rare. Rarity is sometimes based on an obscure magistrate name, officina number or control mark because some collectors are interested in obtaining all of the variants of the type. The impact of price on the rarity of coins is entirely dependent on demand. A rare variant may not cost much more than a common variant of the same type with similar eye appeal. On the other hand, a rare variant or type might be much more expensive if there are a number of collectors that find the type desirable. The greatest impact of rarity on price applies when the specific rarity is necessary to complete a highly collected series. Consider that some U.S. coins are extremely expensive when only the date or mintmark varies from millions of others of the same type. Collectors need to "fill a hole" and the price reflects the demand created by that need. Fortunately, for most ancient coins the need to "fill holes" does not apply to the same extreme - even some extremely rare, unpublished, and even unique coins are sometimes still affordable. RIC Rarity RatingsRIC I (1984) RIC II (late 1920's) RIC II, Part| I, Second Fully Revised Edition (2007) RIC |VIII| (1981) Notes:
| Scarcity and RarityAlso see ERIC - Rarity Tables. Rarity ratings for ancient coins in sales catalogs, including FORVM ANCIENT COINS's catalog, are based on some or all of the following: An exact degree of scarcity and rarity of ancient coins is rarely certain. Also, the rarity of a type can change if a hoard is discovered. Often coins that were once listed as rare in references are only cataloged as scarce and coins that were once scarce are cataloged as common today. Although unusual, a cataloger may also believe a coin is rarer than a published rarity rating or the number of examples in collections implies. Highly desirable coins are found in disproportionately high numbers in publications and collections because they were sought for each publication or collection with greater effort than other coins. Such coins may actually be quite scarce or rare. Also, the cataloger may know or think a published rarity rating is in error. Another rarity consideration is how narrowly the type or variant is defined. A rarity rating might apply to the general type or to a narrowly defined variety. A particular coin of a short reigning emperor may be listed as common but overall the coins of that emperor are much rarer than those of Constantine, for example, who issued millions of coins. Yet, many Constantine variants are identified as rare or even extremely rare. Rarity might even refer to a specific mint workshop (officina) or control mark on the coin. The same issue applies to Greek coins. The coins of a city in general might be common or rare, but even in a city that issued many coins, the coins of a specific magistrate, with a certain monogram or a specific control mark might be unpublished and thus rare. Rarity is sometimes based on an obscure magistrate name, officina number or control mark because some collectors are interested in obtaining all of the variants of the type. The impact of price on the rarity of coins is entirely dependent on demand. A rare variant may not cost much more than a common variant of the same type with similar eye appeal. On the other hand, a rare variant or type might be much more expensive if there are a number of collectors that find the type desirable. The greatest impact of rarity on price applies when the specific rarity is necessary to complete a highly collected series. Consider that some U.S. coins are extremely expensive when only the date or mintmark varies from millions of others of the same type. Collectors need to "fill a hole" and the price reflects the demand created by that need. Fortunately, for most ancient coins the need to "fill holes" does not apply to the same extreme - even some extremely rare, unpublished, and even unique coins are sometimes still affordable. RIC Rarity RatingsRIC I (1984) RIC II (late 1920's) RIC II, Part| I, Second Fully Revised Edition (2007) RIC |VIII| (1981) Notes:
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