Rarity

Rarity is a term used to describe objects or works of art that are extremely rare and therefore highly valued by collectors. These can be a limited-edition porcelain figurine, a painting with a rich provenance, or a unique artist's lot at auction. An item becomes a rarity not only because of its age or condition, but also if it is associated with a famous person, event, or has a defect that made the entire batch unique (for example, an incorrect marking on a coin). For collectors, the designation "rarity" is always a challenge and a reason for a thrill of the hunt: there are known cases where a desired item was found after decades of searching at a flea market or in a family chest.

Beware of the label "rarity": fraudsters often use it to inflate prices. An expert appraisal and the item's provenance are reliable confirmation.