The condition or state of wear of a coin is exceedingly important. Investment quality coins are primarily those coins that grade uncirculated or Mint State. However, when coins emerge from high-speed mechanical presses they are dumped together with other coins, run though mechanical sorters, are put in bags and shipped from bank to bank. Even Mint State coins will show some nicks and contact marks. To protect investors, Eastern Numismatics recommends that investor s only purchase coins that have been graded by an industry accepted third party grading service.
Rarity is a prime determinant of a coin s value.
If all other factors are equal, a coin of which 100 specimens are known will be worth considerably more than a coin of which there are a million known. Most of the world s price records for rare coins are held by pieces that are extremely rare. Rarity depends upon several things. The original mintage is an important factor. Generally the more pieces that were minted, the more that are apt to survive today.