Mintage is the total quantity of coins struck for a specific date, denomination, and mint mark combination.
Why Mintage Matters
Lower mintage often correlates with higher value, but it's not the only factor. Key considerations:
- **Survival rate**: How many coins still exist
- **Demand**: Popularity among collectors
- **Condition rarity**: Availability in high grades
Common vs Key Dates
Common dates: High mintage, readily available Semi-key dates: Moderate scarcity Key dates: Low mintage or high demand
Examples of Low Mintage
- 1893-S Morgan Dollar: 100,000 minted
- 1916-D Mercury Dime: 264,000 minted
- 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent: 484,000 minted
Mintage vs Availability
A coin with high mintage might still be scarce if: - Most were melted - Few were saved in high grades - Released coins saw heavy circulation
Conversely, low mintage modern coins may be common if most were saved by collectors.