VAM grades just in - - incl 1902 VAM 4

Yale68

VAM on line 1 is pop 1/0 and VAM on line 10 is pop 2/0. I am extremely happy about the 1902 VAM 4 on line 10 (the most underrated VAM!!!). It was originally in a NGC 64 holder, but it took me 3 tries to get it into a PCGS holder. The first two tries came back altered surfaces (once in the holder and once cracked out) - - so I dipped it to remove the toning, and resubmitted a 3rd time. Success!!!!!!!

Line # Item # Cert # PCGS No. CoinDate Denomination Variety Country Grade
1 1 10373874 40117 1878 8TF $1 VAM 1 US MS64PL
2 1 10461253 133797 1878 8TF $1 VAM 14.2 US MS63
3 1 08849756 134036 1878 7/8TF $1 VAM 39 Strong US MS63
4 1 10461258 133834 1878 7TF $1 VAM 115 Reverse of 1878 US AU50
5 1 10461252 133978 1878 7TF $1 VAM 187 Reverse of 1878 US XF40
6 1 60116454 133891 1882-O $1 O/S Weak VAM 4 US MS63
7 1 10461261 133924 1888-O $1 Oval MM VAM 17 US AU53
8 1 10461259 133955 1900-O $1 VAM 15 US MS64
9 1 10461255 7266 1900-O $1 US VF35
10 1 10461256 133966 1902 $1 VAM 4 US MS63

Total Items: 10

Date Received: 10/13/2006

DennisH

Sorry, but I just have to do it:

YOU SUCK!!!

That 1902 is a killer coin.

Coxe

Where did you find the VAM-4? I have tried to cherry one of those for ages. Returned one that I was sure of on TT (and paid a healthy restocking fine too). You are correct, that is perhaps the most underrecognized rarity of the Top-100. A couple others come close though.

Wolf359

Wow, incredible score on the vam-4. Congradulations.

Since I have one, I think the 1883 VAM-10 is also ridiculously hard to find

Coxe

Jack, the '83 VAM-10 is one of the close ones to which I refer. I only managed one so far, an AU. Took a chance on an '83 that might have been VAM-10 but ended up not. However, it is PCGS 64 with a marvelously toned reverse, for low money and is a keeper nonetheless. I have heard of at least one MSPL VAM-10 and wouldn't doubt such would exist. That is one I am really after for my PL set.

Yale68

John - - the 1902 VAM 4 was in a Tuesday night Heritage auction a while back, in an unattributed NGC 64 holder. Heritage has the best viewing capabilities, so it was easy to verify the VAM. The one that you thought was a VAM 4 on TT was one that I was fooled by also. Luckily (for me) you outbid me.

Wolf359

I've also bought a few lemon on-line 1902-P's in holders that I thought were VAM-4. Outside of the near date, there are usually no concrete visual markers to pick up the variety, so it's always a guess.

Wolf359

<< <i>Jack, the '83 VAM-10 is one of the close ones to which I refer. I only managed one so far, an AU. Took a chance on an '83 that might have been VAM-10 but ended up not. However, it is PCGS 64 with a marvelously toned reverse, for low money and is a keeper nonetheless. I have heard of at least one MSPL VAM-10 and wouldn't doubt such would exist. That is one I am really after for my PL set. >>



AU is a great pickup. I'm not sure why it's so rare, but it is!

There are unique die cracks from the neck to the first star and also on the reverse through OLL, if that helps. Although, I doubt they exist in PL; even the chip under the '8' might not be there .

Yale68

Jack - - the key in spotting a 1902 vam 4 is NOT the doubled ear (that's too hard to see in a scan), but its the LARGE doubling on the bottom of the hair next to the ear, with a protruding piece that's not present on the ordinary 1902.

Coxe

<< <i>

<< <i>Jack, the '83 VAM-10 is one of the close ones to which I refer. I only managed one so far, an AU. Took a chance on an '83 that might have been VAM-10 but ended up not. However, it is PCGS 64 with a marvelously toned reverse, for low money and is a keeper nonetheless. I have heard of at least one MSPL VAM-10 and wouldn't doubt such would exist. That is one I am really after for my PL set. >>



AU is a great pickup. I'm not sure why it's so rare, but it is!

There are unique die cracks from the neck to the first star and also on the reverse through OLL, if that helps. Although, I doubt they exist in PL; even the chip under the '8' might not be there . >>



That die crack is extremely similar to other varieties and is unreliable as a marker. I am certain many people (me included) have bought an 1883 because of that only to get a different one.


Here is one such coin. But it was worth it for the overall quality anyway.

Wolf359

<< <i>Jack - - the key in spotting a 1902 vam 4 is NOT the doubled ear (that's too hard to see in a scan), but its the LARGE doubling on the bottom of the hair next to the ear, with a protruding piece that's not present on the ordinary 1902. >>



I wanted to check my reference photos before I replied. I think I see what you mean, hey that's a good one. Thank you very much.