The value of a coin is determined by the following factors:
Scarcity or rarity: In general, the lower number of coins available, the more it is worth. Rarity can be due to the limited number of coins struck by the mint (low mintage) or the number of coins available on the market.
Condition: Whether the coin is minted as proof, specimen, or made for circulation, the closer the coin is to perfection (free of nicks, scratches or flaws) the higher the grade, and the value.
Demand / Popularity: Generally, the value of a coin will rise when there are not enough of it available for the number of people who want to own it. Coins with meaningful themes (social movements, historical events, or important people) touch more people throughout the world and will tend to have a stronger demand.
Quality / Aesthetic appeal: How well a coin is designed, minted and presented can have a big bearing on the price. Some coins are considered more beautiful than others although aesthetic appeal is very much a matter for individual taste.
A few coins with a very low mintage (5,000 or less):
The silver content of a coin may also have a bearing on its value.
The interrelationship of these factors determines how much a coin is worth. Ideally, you want a low-mintage, high-grade, meaningful silver coin with a broad collector base.
