Rarity scales

[MikeKing]

Can anyone tell me what the rationale was behind Bowers choosing an enumeration running opposite Sheldon's in defining his rarity scale?

 

 

[Oldtrader3]

On page 21 of his Silver Dollars and Trade Dollars book, QDB states that the Sheldon scale had it's scalar problems when applied to coins of high rarity (i.e. 1884 Trade Dollar vs. 1885 Trade Dollars with populations of 5 and 10 respectively). Sheldon's R scale would classify both as R-8, when one twice as scarce as the other.

 

I quote QDB on one other item, "Buy the book, before the coin".

[DWLange]

Just to give credit where it's due, this quote is from the late Aaron Feldman. It was included in his advertising for both books and coins.

 

I've always believed in buying the book and a coin. Otherwise, there's little incentive to read the book. The trick is to buy coins in moderation until you've learned a thing or two.