Description
In any coin collection, a key date coin represents the pinnacle of rarity, and is typically one of the final coins to be acquired by an investor finishing their collector. These coins are exceptionally scarce, so getting your hands on one at all (much less one of high quality) can be a difficult task. That considered, key date coins are typically one of the most expensive coins in a series and often represent the finish line of the collection they belong to.
Determining what qualifies as a key date involves multiple factors assessed by numismatists. These factors include the mintage, survival rate, condition rarity, and the overall popularity of the coin series among collectors. From low initial production (mintage) quantities, to low survival rates due to melting, to certain coins that are impossible to find in good condition, to even a factor as simple as high popularity, there are countless reasons why a coin can be difficult to find. Overall, when a specific coin becomes exceptionally rare, they’re assigned the status of “key date”.