Missed a Peace VAM on eBay tonight

Rob9874

I've been thinking about focusing on Peace VAMs. Missed one on eBay tonight. Is this a 1935-S VAM 4 (4 rays under ONE on reverse)?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8410987704

Then I have to ask, was it a good deal? Where can I find values for VAMs? I'm guessing completed eBay auctions?

Coxe

What makes you think it is a VAM-4? Overwhelmingly, extra ray 35-S are VAM-3. I have a half dozen of them in and around gem. However, it is an interesting variety in its own rate as the only C reverse in the series.

Rob9874

I'm new to VAMs. I saw the VAM 4 listed in the Top 50 registry. Wasn't a VAM 3 listed.

Coxe

VAM-3 is the originally identified C reverse, the one with the extra ray toward the mint mark. VAM-4 was discovered by Jeff Oxman in 1999. It has very subtle reverse doubling. There is no way to discern it without a loupe and is almost impossible with any web images. Furthermore, good luck finding it on circulated examples with more than trivial wear. It's a tough one to cherry. I have only managed to do that two times and I look at a lot of coins.

Rob9874

So VAM-3 is pretty common? This one looks like another: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8413473859

Coxe

Yes, it is "relatively" common. There is no way that I can figure out to easily without looking at the specific doubling which is hard. I have tried to find other PUPs (pick up points) and identified none.