Vam question.

woodwalker

How rare are the long nock 78s varities? Also, what would one usually bring in fine?

Coxe

They are quite rare, some vareities being exceptionally so. Fine is a typical grade and, if not cleaned, in decent demand. I think the general price in that grade is $100-$150. There was a nice one tonight on Teletrade in PCGS XF.

woodwalker

Thanks for the reply. A friend of mine let me borrow his vam book, and i've been going through my morgans. I have found several vams, but this was by far the best. I will try and post some pictures of it tomorrow, and maybe someone can help me attribute it. Thanks.

Coxe

That is a tough one to find too! Great pick up. The varieties with the B1 (long nock, parallel arrow feathers) reverse are hard to differentiate except by very close examination with a loupe. A few of them are described here. Those of us with Michael Fey's Insights subscription got a paper detailing them. ashmore.com probably shows the relevant details anyway in the online Update and the associated images. But bring it on and we'll see if we can't zero in on an attribution with you.

Wolf359

If it's a vam-72, cha-ching.

woodwalker

My photography skills are terrible, and after seeing the images on this forum more like nonexistent! But i'll give it a try tomorrow. What should I be looking for in the vam 72?

coindeuce

The B1 reverse 1878-S morgans are fairly readily available in lower circ. grades(G-VF) and have minimal premium. EF to AU examples can command significant premiums if surface quality and color are desirable. There are currently only 3 uncirculated examples reported, two of which could very possibly be considered Specimen Presentation pieces or Branch Mint Proofs. The jury is still out on the latter two, but still easily regarded as R-7 rarities.

messydesk

Start with Liberty's eye and the mintmark position. There are often spikes in front of the eye on the B1 reverses.

woodwalker

Is there a sight that would show the various 78s varities? I cannot find a vam 72 listing in this book. It is the fourth edition. The only listings I have found are for vams 26 & 27.

coindeuce

Your Van Allen 4th edition should have an addendum at the back of the book with text and photo descriptions of VAM's 56, 57 and 58.

woodwalker

Well I guess it does Thanks I guess I should have looked a little harder. I'm gonna get the scope out and do a little checking. My friend also loaned me his microscope.

woodwalker

Thanks coindeuce I think what I have is a vam 56. At least thats what I've come up with. I would like to thank my friend for letting me use all of his stuff! He's a forum member and the one who got me interested in vams and this forum. Thanks Gary "beartracks42" for the help.

Wolf359

VAM-72 has die chips, not spikes, in front of the eye under the eye lid. Photos are scarce, only one is known to exist.

woodwalker

Trying to get a decent picture, and not having much luck. When I get one I'll post it.

coindeuce

<< <i>Thanks coindeuce I think what I have is a vam 56. At least thats what I've come up with. I would like to thank my friend for letting me use all of his stuff! He's a forum member and the one who got me interested in vams and this forum. Thanks Gary "beartracks42" for the help. >>


Good work, Woodwalker. I've found from my length of involvement in VAM's that of the '78-S B1 reverses, the most often I've seen are VAM's 26, 27 and 56 and 58. I've never actually owned a VAM 60 or 72.

jdsinva

Which long nock variety might this one be, with the polish lines near the right leg. . .