VAM Experts: Is 1878-S VAM 19 Morgan A Difficult Coin to Find?

Rampage

Can someone please brief me as to relative rarity and value for an MS64/5 specimen?

Please and thank you.

Richard.

Rampage

TTT for the early afternoon crowd. Anyone?

jdsinva

It's a cool VAM and quite popular but I have at least a half dozen or so. Of course, you may need to distinguish between the v19 and v19A. But to answer your question, no, I wouldn't pay a premium for it. That's not to say that someone else wouldn't.

BTW, I collect 1878-S VAMs.

Jeff

nesvt

Jeff, I noticed you collected 1878-S VAMs. How many different 1878-S VAMs have the doubled D in DOLLAR? I have one and thought it was a rarity... then I found another.

jdsinva

<< <i>How many different 1878-S VAMs have the doubled D in DOLLAR? I have one and thought it was a rarity... then I found another. >>



Slight doubling of the D in DOLLAR is frequently encountered among 1878-S Morgans, as is the broken 'r' in 'trust', the broken point on the 4th right star and doubled LIBERTY. I can't say how many may have this but I would expect it is more than a few. I'm at work right now so I don't have any info to fall back on at this moment.

I just looked and I guess I didn't really answer Rampage's question. No, the v19 is not a difficult coin to find. Without the benefit of my reference books, I would estimate it is midway in rarity and interest. Like I stated, I have at least a half dozen or so in grades from fine to MS65 with a PL obv. I wouldn't ever chase one because there are sure to be others that come along.

Jeff

jdsinva

Richard,

Sorry for the delay, preparing for exams this week took a bit longer than I anticipated but I'm done for the semester!

Here's what I've come up with to illustrate the differences between the v19 and v19A. The description from Leroy Van Allen (which I quoted) is a bit misleading. Here are images of three main points of difference between the v19 and v19A:

With the v19, there is no radial crack through the E in E PLURIBUS


With the v19A, note the radial crack through the E in E PLURIBUS


With the v19, the 'r' in 'trust' is broken but a portion remains


With the v19A, the 'r' in 'trust' is completely gone except for a few dots


With the v19, there is no chip on the leaf above 'NI' in UNITED


With the v19A, note the chip on the leaf above 'NI' in UNITED


I hope this helps explain the differences.

Jeff

TWODOGS

Very informative and great pics. Thanks.

Rampage

Jeff.

Thank you for the fantastic pictures and description. It will help out allot.

Cheers, Richard.

jdsinva

Here's a nice example of a VAM 19A if anyone is interested. . .

Jeff

BobbyDees

Here is my nice example of a vam 19
nice VAM 19
AND
VAM19 Obv
How would this grade o'great ones
Bobby D

Coxe

I have located a number of VAM-19A in MS64 and MS65, slabbedby the top two. They are not at all common though. They are indeed very interesting, having the largest die gouge observed in the entire Morgan series. The VAMView price guide lists them in those grades at 370 and 850, respectively. Most active VAM hunters won't pay premiums for them but other collectors might. 3X-4X prices over common are steep. As they dry up, it's anyone's guess on valuations. It is a high interest variety.