Morgan VAM question
numonebuyer
Posts: 2,136 ✭
I am looking at an 1889 Morgan. I am having some trouble categorizing it (i.e., assigning the VAM). The obverse appears to be "III(superscript 2) 1" (Normal die of III(superscript 2) type with tail of 9 touching body. However, the reverse is not "C(superscript 3) a" - which would make the coin VAM 1. I thought it might be "C(superscript 3) b" - which would make the coin VAM 19, but it has no doubling on the left wreath leaves or TED. It does however have doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST. Has anyone heard of a variant of VAM 19?
Here is a close up of the left wreath leaves.
Here is a close up of the IN GOD WE TRUST.
Numonebuyer
Here is a close up of the left wreath leaves.
Here is a close up of the IN GOD WE TRUST.
Numonebuyer
0
Comments
numonebuyer
There is a vam 19A with open 9 and a vam 22 with closed 9. The vam site says these were the old vam 5a with the bar wing.
numonebuyer
Numonebuyer
I know it is hard to tell from the photo, but every letter in IN GOD WE TRUST is doubled to the side (not up or down).
What about VAM 13 (or at least its obverse)? As you can see in the photo of the date, there is no doubling of any of the date numbers.
It appears this coin has an obverse from VAM 13 "III(superscript 3) 13" and a reverse from a variant of the reverse of VAM 19 "C(superscript 3) b".
Numonebuyer
I'm not saying that's what it is because I don't stay current on the vams & the newest vam book is over 10 years old. There have been several thousands of new vams added since then and it's entirely possible that you may have found a new die pairing. The vam book lists 21 pairings but there are actually currently 30 attributed vams for the 89-P. It would be improper for me to do other than discuss the possibilities of what you might have and I highly encourage collectors to submit their finds to the experts for proper attribution.
So, what do I do now? I have went to all of the VAM web pages that I know of, and they seem to be out of date.
Thanks for your replys by the way.
Numonebuyer
ANACS offers vam attribution but what the deal is you have to list the VAM # and they & verify it and put it on the label but if it's not a known variety or you put the wrong number then you don't get the designation.