Modern mintages, do they mean anything? It really has no relationship with value or rarity

Just look at Bermuda 5 cents 1997 KM 45. With a mintage of only 300,000. Right now I have 7 of these in my collection, 5 in swap. And they are all in unc. And have given away 15 to 20 of them in unc. And there are about 25 people here who have it for swap. Now look at the year 1996 KM 45 with a mintage of 1,500,000. It only has about 10 people here for swap. There is a big difference in the numbers. And from what I looked at the 1996 sells for almost two times more than the 1997. Did any of the 1997 coins stay in Bermuda? Or were they all sold to us coin collectors. Any member here from Bermuda? Did the 1997 5 cent coin even circulate there? So is it even a common coin?
Just my thoughts.

Hello Daryl,

Is it possible that the example you picked here is just an anomaly? I don't know much about modern Bermuda coins but I would assume that unless there's another factor (e.g. recalling certain coins) the usual relationship between mintage and rarity exists (for value there's a lot more to take into consideration).

Yes you are Cass, in most of the way But I should of said "It can have no relationship with value or rarity. There are a few odd ones out there. I think I was saying don't believe in a seller who say low mintage or rare more than anything else.
But still would like to know if they circulated there.