Question about 1882 o/s Weak and Strong?

moosesr

I see PCGS 1882 o/s coins listed as weak and strong and with prices almost double for the strong. Anyone know just why the difference, my Top 100 VAM book seems to indicate VAM's 3, 4 and 5 are about the same in rarity factor?

Thanks,
Charlie

moosesr

Wolf359

PCGS designates VAM-5 as weak. I suppose they like the weak versus strong designation. In my experience, VAM-5 is scarcer than
the others!

messydesk

There are actually six discernably different 1882-O/S. The VAMs 3, 4, and 5, of which I think VAM 4 is the scarcest by a little are the "flush", "recessed", and "broken" varieties, respectively. Each has a rare early die state. In increasing order of scarcity, they are the VAM 3 EDS (parallel lines inside the O), VAM 5 EDS (dot), and VAM 4 EDS (fishhook). The VAM 4 EDS is much scarcer than the others and worth big bucks. The PCGS "Weak" desgination must refer to the VAM 4 or VAM 5, and would probably be applied to all the EDS coins.

MAD4MORGANS

Go Here---> Rob Joyce Rare Coins 1882 O/S VAMs

coinkat

The early die state varieties of Vam 3, 4 and 5 are the toughest. It is not about strong...

DennisH

Strongs are in the Grey Sheet and Weaks aren't, so guess which one is almost always priced higher? That's by far the best explaination I can come up with.

I believe Weaks are actually scarcer than Strongs, so if/when PCGS ever includes them in a Morgan registry set, I won't be surprised if they eventually are priced higher than Strongs.