Coin rarity scales: Hutten-Czapski, Sheldon/Breen and Scholten
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A label such as “R4” or “RR” in a catalogue tells you how rare a coin is, but what the symbol means depends on the scale. The same symbol in two scales can mean entirely different rarity. Below we describe the three scales supported by NumiStack and show how to avoid mixing them up.
Rarity is not the same as value
Rarity scales describe how many specimens of a given coin type are known or available on the market. They say nothing about condition or demand. A rare but little-sought coin can cost less than a common one that collectors are competing for at auction. Value comes from the combination of rarity, demand and grade.
Also remember that rarity usually refers to the coin type, not to a particular grade. A specimen in mint state can be much rarer than the same coin in circulated condition, even though the catalogue marks it with a single symbol.
The Hutten-Czapski scale (R–R8, R*)
The scale comes from the catalogue of Emeryk Hutten-Czapski and is used in Polish numismatics, among others in catalogues of Polish coins. Rarity is expressed by the letter R with a number, and a common coin carries no mark. In NumiStack the scale is defined as follows:
| Symbol | Known specimens (approx.) |
|---|---|
| no mark | over 400,000 (common coin) |
| R | 80,001–400,000 |
| R1 | 15,001–80,000 |
| R2 | 3,001–15,000 |
| R3 | 601–3,000 |
| R4 | 121–600 |
| R5 | 26–120 |
| R6 | 7–25 |
| R7 | 4–6 |
| R8 | 2–3 |
| R* | unique, 1 known specimen |
We quote the numerical thresholds as they are stored in the app. Individual catalogues and editions may apply them with minor differences, so when in doubt check the description of the scale in the catalogue’s introduction.
The Sheldon/Breen scale (R-1–R-9)
This scale is used mainly in American numismatics. The symbols run from R-1 to R-9 (with a hyphen), where a higher number means greater rarity.
| Symbol | Known specimens (approx.) |
|---|---|
| R-1 | over 1,250 (common) |
| R-2 | 501–1,250 |
| R-3 | 201–500 |
| R-4 | 76–200 |
| R-5 | 31–75 |
| R-6 | 13–30 |
| R-7 | 4–12 |
| R-8 | 2–3 |
| R-9 | unique, 1 known specimen |
The Scholten scale (C–RRRR)
In this scale rarity is described by letters rather than by numbers of specimens, from C (common) to RRRR (unique or nearly so). It is based on how easily a coin can be bought.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| C | common: always available on the market |
| N | normal: normally available on the market |
| S | scarce: scarcer, available on the domestic market |
| R | rare: rare, available on the international market |
| RR | very rare: appears only sporadically |
| RRR | extremely rare: appears once in many years |
| RRRR | of the utmost rarity: unique or nearly so (1–3 known specimens) |
How not to mix up the scales
- Always check which scale a symbol comes from. “R” in the Hutten-Czapski scale (80,000–400,000 specimens) and “R” in the Scholten scale (rare, available on the international market) are completely different grades.
- When you copy a rarity from a catalogue, record the name of the catalogue and the edition with it, because data changes over time.
- Do not compare numbers from different scales or treat them as equivalents.
- Treat the rarity quoted by a seller with caution. Check it in a catalogue or in the population reports of the grading companies.
Recording rarity in NumiStack
In a coin’s card you first choose the rarity system (Hutten-Czapski, Sheldon/Breen or Scholten) and then a grade from that system’s list. That way the symbol is always stored together with the scale it comes from, and you cannot accidentally confuse an “R” from one scale with an “R” from another. For hints on where to find rarity data, read our article on numismatic catalogues.