How do you as a collector define “Rarity”?

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by E93

I know that an objective scale is what people are shooting for here, but how does one factor in relative scarcity?

For example, a T206 O'Hara/St. Louis is a rarity for T206 collectors with roughly 200-400 known. A collector of any number of other sets would laugh at calling that rare. But demand makes it tougher.

No answers here. Just complicating the question.
JimB

Exactly.

As I review the definitions proposed I think to myself: these must be T206 guys. The notion that items with between 200 and 1000 existing are on any level tough or difficult is foreign to me.

My own view is that "rarity/scarcity" should be measured by known examples, without regard to demand (like the coin system). Rarity is not tied to demand. A one-of-a-kind item is still rare, even if nobody wants it.

Just because a lot of people want something, that does not make it rare...just popular. That is an issue of supply crossed with demand.

Cheers,
Blair