VAM Help Please...

DenverDave

In the middle of attributing a VAM and noticed something strange...

Is this post mint damage or something in the dies...?

Thanks for looking..."-)



Same coin with glare, better showing area in question...

Coxe

Looked post-Mint to me at first. But since there is no scrape beyond the device/field boundary into the field and underlying detail appears there, I am guessing it struck through something.

DenverDave

Thanks Coxe's, that's what I was thinking but was not sure...

Here's the VAM I was working on...

I'm thinking 23C...?

On the rarity numbers, is the higher the number the more common it is...?









Thanks Again for the Help...

Coxe

Yes, that is a 23C. I have a hoard of them.

RVDavis

Dave,

Higher rarity number = more rare. R6 and higher tend to be the really powerful coins although that is not always true.

Rick

Coxe

I concentrate my cherrypicking on R-6 and R-7 and the interesting R-5 ones. Leroy estimates the rarities based on obvious factors and his years of experience. His track record is commendable. Occasionally, he misses the mark, but those are rare exceptions. The 1900-O VAM-23C is available with some searching in most grades. However, it is still rare. If you look at all of the R-6 ones assigned and see how they shake out, there is a wide spectrum of rarity within that class. For instance, the 1881-S VAM-1B (large chip on the right wing) seems nowhere out there while some other R-6 seems to be somewhere in any given month. SO the rarity rating are a good guideline but not gospel. This variety is also interesting and very visible, making it a winner in my book.

DenverDave

Thanks Guys...

Is this one a late state die...?

This birds is on crack, almost 3/4ers around the coin...

The crack starts at the "O" in one, thru the left wing, thru the right wing, then very light all the way to the "I" in America...

Additional cracks thru the motto and left wing and center of the "A" in States...

The coin is graded MS64, with the R-6 rating what would be a ball park value...?

Not looking to sell as it's my first VAM, just wondering...

Thanks again guy's...

Coxe

On my way out the door, but yours is a not any later than any other 23C I have seen. Valuation is to come. Right now, people largely are unaware of this variety but it should get on hit lists in the future. One to keep, but for now it would be a small premium, if any, over common.

DenverDave

Very Cool, I think that's sage advice...

Like errors the more visible the better, I can see the 23C taking off in the near future...

Thanks again...