My Morgan Dollar 1886p VAM 20 hunt

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Circa 2017, I picked up a Cherrypicker Guide and chose this VAM to do a search. Should be easy to pick.

It was only slightly more available than some of the 1878 8TF monsters.

Within the first dozen coins, I found an unattributed example in a MS63 holder. The PUP'S stood out despite the fuzzy pictures.

Easy right? It started an obsessive search for more examples. Including the original pick, over the course of six months I found seven examples. Three PCGS unattributed in MS62, MS63, MS63. Three more that graded AU-Details. The seventh was the only bidding war and the most paid in this hunt... about $120. This was likely another AU-Details raw coin that the now alert seller swapped for another coin.

Estimate over that six months span I searched well over 100k listings. Sometimes 2k per day. Could be as many as 140k.

Remember, I found the first one immediately, so it is closer to 20k viewed per find.

Often wish I kept the first MS find, but flipped them for a nice profit.

Fast forward to last week.

I seek the VAM on occasion, but at a fraction of my former numbers.

Meet number 8.... I can rest easier now. Not a monster that the MS would represent but a cool find.

I keep hoping to find a MS65, but I am onto other challenges.