How available does a series (or series subset) have to be for it to become popular with collectors?

dan1ecu

For a series to become popular with collectors, it has to be perceived that there are enough pieces around for many people to complete sets. Agreed?

For example, proof Buffalo nickels have become popular and have increased in value because there are enough of them to go around, but not so many that they're considered common or easy to find in nice condition.

Gem Liberty nickels, in my opinion, would become very popular with collectors, were it not for the fact that they are scarce and very few collectors would be able to put together a complete set (maybe fewer than 100!). It would be difficult, therefore, for anyone to promote gem Liberty nickels.

Do you think that there's a critical mass of coins that must be available in a series for that series to become a popular one? Can you think of any series that are on the border line?

Dan

Shamika

I guess you need to define what you mean by "popular with collectors".

Given the fact that coins with extremely low survival rates demand huge prices, i.e. early dollars, I'd say there is no critical number. It simpley comes down to interest.

tjkillian

Certain coin are popular even though there are high numbers, such as the 1909-S-VDB Lincoln or the 1916-D Dime. Other coins are not popular, such are early/middle half eagles. I feel folks don't collect some series as it is way too tough to collect them. Yes, there has to be a certain number of them before they become popular. Franklin halves are very popular for many reasons, but rarity is not one of them, with the exception of condition census ones.

Tom