Nice 21-D VAM find today

RobJoyce1921dVAMguy

Got some good VAM cherrypicks today. The one I liked the most was a 1921-D VAM-1S. In all the years of chasing 1921-Ds, I've found one before. This is a really tough VAM.

One of the interesting things about the VAM-1S is that a second die gouge was noticed after I published "Fun With 1921" Jack Lee (wolf359 here) found the second gouge on a coin he located. On my only reference coin, this gouge was present but very subtle. This new coin has a much bolder second gouge, much like Jack's. Its a high-end AU but is lacking a lot of luster having been dipped. Even without great luster, its a keeper!



Like many of the 1921-D die gouge coins, this one has been elusive, with only a few discovered and no mint state coins known to me. I've increased the desirability rating I give to it up to 4 stars (out of 5) because of the very few coins being discovered compared to some other varieties. If you have an MS example, I'd like to hear about it for my condition census.

Rob

Coxe

Exceptionally cool. Where'd you happen across it?

Wolf359

Wow, looks better than the AU I picked off recently on eBay. Please bring it for our scheduled show-n-tell get together so we can compare notes.

I estimate I've looked at 15,000-20,000 21-D coins in the past 3 years and found a single VAM-1S. It should be a $500 coin if an MS Specimen ever turns up.

DennisH

Rob:

That's neat!

Could I reprint the photo in VAMview... perhaps with a small writeup by you?

Wolf359

Don't tell me I missed that coin at Golden Eagle

coindeuce

Thanks for the heads up Rob. I've got the task of searching 3 bags of Morgans starting bright and early on Saturday. I'm gonna' have to get me a pair of them X-Ray vision glasses to save me some time finding this one.

eyoung429

I have one in xf that I will have to dig out once I get to Denver...the second gouge is fainter though...I was going to have the guys at VAMS and More take a look at it the last show but I had gotten the discovery back on my '84 CC and kinda put it on the back burner.

I love the one you found!!!! Congratulations!!!!

RobJoyce1921dVAMguy

Guys,
I found it at a local shop that lets me pick through their 1921s. I couldn't estimate how many I've gone through... what was Carl Sagan's statement about stars, "billions and billions", but this VAM-1S is the second one ever for me... Given the responses here and PMs, I'm considering calling this a 5 star, not even a 4 star. Just plain hard coin to find. Any feedback on the desirability rating it should have (comination of rarity, demand and "coolness" factors)?

Dennis, will gladly write up the coin for VAMview. My 21-P pitted reverse story is slow coming anyway. I'm still looking for a few study coins. (Anyone have VAMs 21-P VAM-1i, VAM-1M, VAM-1AO, or VAM-20A for sale, trade or loan so I can finish up the pitted reverse study?)

Cheers,

Rob

MAD4MORGANS

<< <i>Dennis, will gladly write up the coin for VAMview. My 21-P pitted reverse story is slow coming anyway. I'm still looking for a few study coins. (Anyone have VAMs 21-P VAM-1i, VAM-1M, VAM-1AO, or VAM-20A for sale, trade or loan so I can finish up the pitted reverse study?) >>



You mean there are OTHER mints besides 21Ds??

Cool VAM 1S

Makes me wonder how many I passed up on because I didn't see it.

nesvt

That's way cool. Nice find.