Is this Morgan VAM Worth Any Premium?

Rampage

Okay. I am learning VAM stuff. Since I do not have any books on VAMS, I need to ask.

1878-P 7TF VAM 186. Is this worth any premium? What would a base grade, say MS61/2/3 be worth?

Thanks.

Richard.

Gilbert

It's a pretty common variety (R3) and not listed on either the Top100 or Hot50.

It is distinguished by the broken "r" and sometimes open "o" and/or overpolished reverse, which it incidentally shares with VAMs 160 thru 188 in various die states.

Rampage

Thanks Gilbert. I appreciate the information.

Richard.

SDCollector

For what it's worth...

L&C (big Coin World advertiser) is the only dealer that I've found so far that has a big inventory of attributed Morgans, many are raw. I don't know if his prices are appropriate, but it's interesting to see the premiums he has on various VAM's in his monthly catalogue. I have not purchased from them. But I find his catalogue an interesting price "guide" for VAMs.

Rampage

Is there a good, recent book on VAMs and how to identify them?

Thanks.

Gilbert

Rampage,

No. Nothing new and recent per se, however, LeRoy Van Allen publishes and annual update to the VAM book for a fee (not too expensive and I believe well worth the cost). Otherwise, there is supplemental info in the "specialty" books, i.e., 8tf Attribution Guide, 7/8TF Atttribution Guide, Top100, Hot50, 1879S R78, etc.

SDCollector
I suspect that L&C Coins subscribes to and prices their attributed VAMs according to the Top100 ValueGuide published by Mike Fey of RCI. I imagine they may do what he does to arrive at the guide prices: monitor quarterly trades, but somehow, I imagine they use what is already published. It's one reason why I hunt for my own (those more readily available) - seems nobody wants to bother with paying the VAM premiums but expect to collect it when its time to sell.