ICG VAM 1A MS63 Pitted Reverse 1885 Morgan

drrobertplant

I am very new to certified coinage. I have collected coins since I was 7 yrs. old. That was in 1964. I have no idea what the title means. VAM?? I saw the coin...I could not see pits on the reverse. Is this a variety??
I appreciate all lessons learned. I was given a certified coin 3 years ago. It was my first. I had no idea that this was being done. Maybe because I am a non-affluent collector? Maybe because I had never used a computer until 3 years ago. I do not know. The US Mint does not send out certified coins. I have collected mint sets and proof sets and have 10 or more gallons of coins. They are sitting very nicely in a sealed jar and have beeen so for over 20 years. My newest coins about 1.5 galllons are accumulating as I take all coins out of my pocket and into the jar they go. The ones I keep separate are the indian head pennies which I come across at a rate of 2 per year...yeah I it is crazy too. And sometimes mercury dimes are found in great shape. Over the last 3 years I have been able to get 10 more highly graded coins. And while they are new...they make great conversation pieces and hopefully one day, if it is absolutely necessary they can keep my future family in college, or in a house, or pay for groceries. We would all hope that that scenario never happens. But why collect coins if there is no intrinsic value?? So back top the reason for this post...what is a VAM and what are the grades of VAM i.e. 1A....and the PITTED REVERSE??
I know that MS63 means "looks like new", barely any problems, etc. SO....??

messydesk

A VAM number refers to a discernably unique die marriage for Morgan and Peace dollars. There are north of 3000 different VAM numbers assigned throughout the series. Some are rare, most are not. Some are interesting, some are not. There are many VAM collectors on the board here, myself included, and you'll see threads on the topic pop up from time to time. In regard to your coin, 1885 VAM 1A identifies a pitted reverse die paired with a normal obverse. Look closely at the lower reverse and the coin will appear to have eczema. For more general information on VAMs, look at the sites VAMLink and VAMWorld. The MS63 grade, assigned by the grading service ICG, means "decent looking uncirculated coin."

drrobertplant

OK my story is too long. Just tell me what does the VAM mean and is pitted reverse a variety??

coindeuce

The designation VAM 1A for your 1885-P Morgan dollar was necessitated because several similar but slightly different die marriages of 1885-P have been observed and catalogued. They are VAM 1A, VAM 1B and VAM 1C. Each of the aforementioned exhibits a "pitted die reverse" with the location and extent of the resulting "die markers" in different positions and degrees of surface coverage. The term "pitted die" is a simple way of describing the resulting surface of a die from oxidation(rust) which had not been polished away prior to striking coins.
BTW- The term VAM is an acronym for the last initials of the names of the pioneers of researching Morgan dollar die varieties- Leroy C. *V*an *A*llen and the late A.George *M*allis. Hence, *V*A*M*

Wolf359

<< <i>OK my story is too long. Just tell me what does the VAM mean and is pitted reverse a variety?? >>



Yep. Here's the vamworld photo, your coin should match this.

drrobertplant

Thanks to all for the education. And to the person who showed the coin to me by the link, thank you very much.