What is your definition of "RARE?"

[barrysloate]

Rarity is relative. Every E107, for example, is a rare card but because so few people collect the set and most are happy with an example or two, nobody thinks of an E107 common as a rare card. But if there was a T206 with as few known examples as an E107 common- Wagner and Plank come to mind- then it would be thought of as a great rarity.

But no question the term is overused by sellers who mistakenly believe that if they call a common card rare it will sell for more money.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Rarity is relative. Every E107, for example, is a rare card but because so few people collect the set and most are happy with an example or two, nobody thinks of an E107 common as a rare card. But if there was a T206 with as few known examples as an E107 common- Wagner and Plank come to mind- then it would be thought of as a great rarity.

But no question the term is overused by sellers who mistakenly believe that if they call a common card rare it will sell for more money.

Agreed.

[E93]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Rarity is relative. Every E107, for example, is a rare card but because so few people collect the set and most are happy with an example or two, nobody thinks of an E107 common as a rare card. But if there was a T206 with as few known examples as an E107 common- Wagner and Plank come to mind- then it would be thought of as a great rarity.

But no question the term is overused by sellers who mistakenly believe that if they call a common card rare it will sell for more money.

Good point Barry. There is a bit of relativity to demand in the equation for me. T206 is a good example. The Doyle NY Natl is an extreme rarity (8 known I think) because so many people would like one, but I am trying to put together another set (N167) for which every card in the set is more rare than the Doyle.
JimB

[E93]

The first thought that came to mind when I saw the question was, "Less than 20 known".
JimB

[Publius]

Originally Posted by E93

The first thought that came to mind when I saw the question was, "Less than 20 known".
JimB

Ditto less than 10-20 in existence is pretty damn rare.

[philliesphan]

then, that all the wonderful parallel, serially-numbered shiny sets put out by Bowman and Topps today are rare?

I think Bowman Chrome probably takes the cake for the number of rare parallel sets....

[batsballsbases]

M

[barrysloate]

Jay- I agree with what you are saying, but in hobby parlance Wagner and Plank are always referred to as rare cards. And there are many cards with fewer examples known that are not. So while rarity may in fact be objective, the term is tossed around in a somewhat more subjective manner....if that makes any sense.

Leon- Even with coins rarity ratings are based solely on the examples that are known. It is assumed that new ones will be found and that their rating will change over time. Many coins that were 6's a generation ago are 5's today. That comes with the territory. The point is to document them as they become known to the collecting public.