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Posted By: davidcycleback

Scarcity is defined by supply versus demand (supply less than demand). Rarity is a measurement of amount only. How popular or unpopular a card has no effect on it's rarity, but would on its scarcity. A standard if imperfect measurement of scarcity is sales price.

I think natural versus artificially created scarcity, long term versus fleeting scarcity, are legitimate ways of looking at it. The 1923 Maple Crispette Case Stengel is an example of vintage intentionally created rarity.

It's safe to say any 1952 Topps tossed in the ocean will not have lasted-- may not physically exist at all. And people trying to destroy cards by tossing them in the ocean, don't put them in protective metal boxes to preserve them. Defeats the purpose.