Latest VAM Finds?

Coxe

At the end of the day at shows, some of us often get together and show off the VAM cherry picks and auction grabs of the day. Since we are in the doldrums between shows, I thought it might be fun to share what our latest acquisitions have been. If the thread is popular enough, we can add to it regularly. If it dies, it won't be the first for ideas I thought were good that weren't.

I'll start.

1878 VAM-8 PCGS 63
1878 VAM-197 PCGS 64
1881-S VAM-1b PCGS 63 (Rainbow Reverse)
1888-S VAM-13 PCGS 64
1901 PCGS 58 NEW FIND

options26

Wish I could be as dedicated as some, but I am still learning so I am taking it very slow so I'm not out of money before I learn.

Latest

1888-O 7A - XF/AU - I'm so happy, it's an R7
1888-O Vam 4 - XF
1888-O Vam 4 - XF+
1888-O Vam 21 - VF+, I think, I am waiting to get it in hand to verify Vam #
1884-CC Vam - 7A - Bought it from a bad pic in a GSA, sold it for a slight loss with a better pic.

I also have a bunch of cash spent on VAMs that when you get home and research there is little or no extra value, but still cool to have.

I'm still learning though

DennisH

Nice finds options 26!

Trust me, we're all still learning this stuff, although Coxe already has his PhD in VAMing.

My latest was an 1895-S VAM 3 in ANACS-30 on the stupidly cheap.

coindeuce

1878 8TF raw MS-63 VAM 7
1880-P raw MS-62 HOT 50 VAM 39A
1878 8TF raw AU cleaned VAM 14.8
1900-O raw EF TOP 100 VAM 29A

messydesk

My latest is an 1878-S VAM 29 (BU) and an 1878 VAM 220 (VF+) from a local show. I'm out of town right now and am going to go try to cherrypick a local B&M tomorrow.

options26, if you stop learning new stuff about VAMs, then it's because you're not into it anymore. There's always something to learn.

Coxe

Wow, a 39A in UNC is an amazing find! And that 7a options26 found is awesome. I have been looking for one of them for a while. Didn't think anyone else was until Ash brought it up at Long Beach. Also was looking for the 1b I got for years. Some tough ones.

Anyone get that '78 VAM-5 at TT on Sunday? I was the underbidder but it still went for a low price I think for a PCGS 63 ($775 bid).

cmerlo1

I posted these already, but I'll list them here, anyway:

1886 VAM-1G
1889 VAM-7A
1884-O VAM-32A
1884-O VAM-23A
1881-S VAM-8
1883-O VAM-1D
1884-O VAM-7A
1921-D VAM-10A
1921-D VAM1'O'

The majority of these are MS (62-64), maybe a couple of 58's...they are all at ANACS now. I dropped the '21-D 1-'O' off this morning for 2-day grading, and I should have it back tomorrow or Wednesday (it's already been final graded- once Mike Ellis looks at it it will go to assembly). It was in an IGS MS-63 slab, but I'm predicting either a 58 or 62...I'll post the grades once I pick them up...

--Christian

coindeuce

<< <i> .

Anyone get that '78 VAM-5 at TT on Sunday? I was the underbidder but it still went for a low price I think for a PCGS 63 ($775 bid). >>



With the juice and shipping, the buyer had to lay out 850 Bucks That seems like all the money to me for a 63

If you believe a MS-63 is worth 6X CDN bid, how many multiples of bid can I expect for my PCGS-65???

Coxe

I think they have been trading around $1100 in PCGS 63, but Dennis could say for sure. Your 65 would bring moon money I am sure, being a pop 1/0 of a desirable list coin.

coindeuce

I must be in a time warp. The two MS-64 VAM 5's (1-NGC, 1-PCGS) I owned previously each cost 25% less than the MS-63 just realized!!

Coxe

<< <i>I must be in a time warp. The two MS-64 VAM 5's (1-NGC, 1-PCGS) I owned previously each cost 25% less than the MS-63 just realized!! >>



Been in that same warp a number of times, man. You also said I paid too much for my PCGS 64. It's just where the market has gone.

Yale68

A PCGS MS62 sold on ebay last week for $925, and the usual price for a PCGS MS63 is about $1200 (so the TT price seems like a deal)

Anyways, back to the original topic - - I have found five unattributed 1885 VAM 22's recently, all in the MS62 to MS64 range

options26

Coxe, that 1888-S Vam 13 in 64 is quite a find congrats. Whats the pop on that one, can't be much.

Coxe

<< <i>Coxe, that 1888-S Vam 13 in 64 is quite a find congrats. Whats the pop on that one, can't be much. >>



The pop isn't really established since only ANACS attributes them currently. I think PCGS adding the designated Vam of the Year, according to Leroy, to their list would be a good thing though. I seem to recall a guy I know having shown me at Long Beach a PL one he found on the bourse in a PCGS slab. 64 is the highest I have found so far. Now to liquidate the 63 it upgrades.....

DennisH

" I think they have been trading around $1100 in PCGS 63, but Dennis could say for sure. Your 65 would bring moon money I am sure, being a pop 1/0 of a desirable list coin. "


The last three VAM 5s in PCGS-63 have gone for $1350, $1150 and $1150... all private party sales.

BIGJAYVEE

Great thread John,Here are some recent finds.
1885-P Vam 22,5pcs. PCGS MS62,2pc. PCGS MS63,and 2 at PCGS right now.
1883-CC Vam 5B Cap die break GSA
1884-CC Vam 4B raw BU
1889-P Vam 28A raw BU R7
1885-P Vam 1A,PCGS MS65,tied with 6 others for top pop.
1878 7tf Vam 113 raw

and the hunt goes on.
Almost forgot this one which I really like,1880-CC Vam 5,8/7 high,GSA

Meltdown

Here's a few I've found. I just got these back last week from ICG.
The 1921 was bodybagged because of a pretty nasty scratch on the obverse but the attribution is there which is the main reason I submitted them in the first place.

Here's the reverse of the 1921 bodybag.

The VAM 9 - 1879 S is pretty neat. Here's a picture of the broken R in TRUST.

Wolf359

1921-D TRUT MS63+ raw
1889-O VAM-1A1 XF, whizzed
1880-P VAM-33A, AU

wam98

Great idea for a post John. My latest purchase was an 1878 7TF R78 VAM-134 in PCGS-63. Seems to be a common VAM yet interesting.

eyoung429

From the Colorado expo

1882 O VAM 38A 60ish
1890 O VAM 10A 63ish
1896 P VAM 6A AU55ish
1921 P VAM 24A AU50ish
1921 D VAM 1F AU
1921 D VAM 1W 62
1921 D VAM 1N 60

mrmom

with a help of messydesk, I found 1884-P Vam 2A hot 50,

thanks John

Coxe

One I forgot about just came in the mail from Heritage. A 1921 VAM-3A1 in PCGS MS65 (OGH). I am sure I wasn't the only one to notice that one too. The VAM-3A* group is surprisingly absent form the VAMView Retail list considering its appeal.

nesvt

1878-P 9A raw VF/XF
1899-O micro 'o' (need to attribute) raw XF
1886-P 1A raw MS63
1884-O 10 raw MS64

BIGJAYVEE

<< <i>One I forgot about just came in the mail from Heritage. A 1921 VAM-3A1 in PCGS MS65 (OGH). I am sure I wasn't the only one to notice that one too. The VAM-3A* group is surprisingly absent form the VAMView Retail list considering its appeal. >>



I'm with you on the 1921 Vam-3A group.It's got a lot of appeal and also surprised it's not on the list. Here's my 3A2.

options26

Vam 4 Hot Lips question. No offense to the people who like it as I am currently accumulating a wide range of grades(nothing above XF) but...

These things seem to be everywhere in grades from G to VF+, how common are they really and what are the recent sales of such. To me, unless they were in AU or higher, they are very very common and should not command much of a premium.

Maybe I have just gotten lucky, but 12 in the last 30 days seems to me like they are common, granted I am only seeking a handfull of different VAMs currently.

By the way, just to add to this list
1888-O - VAM 4 Good - Todays find (Paid $14.95)
1888-O - VAM 4 XF - Todays find (Paid $21.00)

Coxe

The distribution of Hot Lips is interesting. Without looking into the numbers, they indeed are available in grades up through XF pretty often. But another point is that these are easily identifiable even in the lowest of grades, unlike many other VAMs. They are also known to even casual folks. Dealers pick them out instantly often. That you were able to cherry an XF is no small feat.

bottleguy

Well, today was a typical day for me....

I had 10 NGC MS-63s arrive...... and I quickly found an 1885-P VAM-9B R-6 Super CD clashed variety. I also pulled an 84-O VAM-30A R-5 and an 84-O VAM-39 R-5. Three others were various R-4s and the remaining four coins, I have yet to figure out a VAM. One is probably an 84-O VAM-1 normal, but the others are all different 85-Ps.

When I say a "typical day", what I mean is about once every 2-3 weeks or so I'll order bulk slabbed NGC or PCGS MS-63s, 64s, or 65s, usually in lots of 10 or 20 (depending on my finances). Then I spend a few hours and Vam them all out. Usually, with each bulk lot that I search, I'll end up finding that between 10 to 20 percent are various R-5s, and occasionally I'll pull out a R-6, Top 100, or Hot 50. In the past 6 months or so I've found three additional R-6s to the one I found today, 20 or so R-5s, three Hot 50s, and one Top 100.

Anyway,

Happy VAMing!!

Rick

Coxe

Pretty nice haul.

options26

Good going, are these ordered from those ads you see all over in the magazines and papers?

bottleguy

Naw, I get them from an online precious metal exchange at greysheet ask price (common dates). I've tried buying bulk Morgans off eBay and other online sources, but I've learned a couple of things.... when blindly searching for VAMS, buy only bulk certified NGC, ANACS, or PCGS coins (anything else is never what it appears to be), never pay more than greysheet ask price (unless the dates are given and some or all are "better than common") and, make sure they haven't already been previously searched for VAMs. Through trial and error, I've found that quite a few online resources for bulk Morgans have already been searched through for VAMS.

Happy hunting,

Rick

Wolf359

From Baltimore Show - my VAM report.

I had an outstanding show. After many emails, PM's and a few phone calls I got to meet Brian Raines and Dan White for the first time. Nice guys! I've found I do really well
when not trying to score, when I press it just doesn't happen. Does this happen to everyone? Got a great tip from a dealer, uneven wear can mean a bent coin, avoid these.
Met with Larry Briggs and got to see 1878 7TF VAM-189 for the first time. Awesome variety, I have to get one of these. Larry also was showing around a Long Nock VAM-72,
only 4 or 5 known to exist at this point. Larry mentioned he's found a new 1879-S Rev 78 vam - no details yet except both obverse and reverse dies are new. Amazing! I
submitted a boatload of coins to PCGS and ANACS. Here are my cherrypicks - all coins were unattributed:

1886 PCGS MS65 unattributed VAM-1C 3+2 clash (first coin I looked at!)
1888-O VAM-20 with obverse cud in PCI MS64
1879-S rev 78, VAM-34A, F15
1891-O VAM-1B, AU50+
1878 7TF VAM-116, very early die state with proof-like reverse/no gouges or clashes. AU55, lightly cleaned I think.
1900-P MS62 & AU, VAM-11
1921-P VAM-1C/48, MS62

But my favorite cherrypick was finding a PL 1886 Morgan (circ and cleaned) in a dealer's junk box for $21. ANACS confirmed on-site it was a Proof Morgan and into the
submission batch it went.

Vammers did pretty well, Grant Hibinka cherried a lightly circ or cleaned (show lights, can't tell) a very LDS VAM-14.15.
Rob Joyce found some goodies as well! Hope he shares here.

messydesk

<< <i>Larry also was showing around a Long Nock VAM-72, only 4 or 5 known to exist at this point. Larry mentioned he's found a new 1879-S Rev 78 vam - no details yet except both obverse and reverse dies are new. >>


Did he show you his "1878-S Rev. of '79?"


<< <i>But my favorite cherrypick was finding a PL 1886 Morgan (circ and cleaned) in a dealer's junk box for $21. ANACS confirmed on-site it was a Proof Morgan and into the
submission batch it went. >>


Yeah, I think that qualifies for a You Suck™!


<< <i>Vammers did pretty well, Grant Hibinka cherried a lightly circ or cleaned (show lights, can't tell) a very LDS VAM-14.15. >>


Grant sucks™, too.


<< <i>Rob Joyce found some goodies as well! Hope he shares here. >>


OK, if Rob ends up sucking™ like that, I'm really going to have to start kicking myself. Wish I could have been there.

Wolf359

Yes, I've seen that one. Larry calls it a probable counterfeit, and it's also double-struck on the reverse side. Very odd coin indeed.

messydesk

I offered to take the 78-S Rev. of 79 to the NGC table at the ANA show in August to see what they'd say.

Coxe

Nice group, Jack. The '88-O VAM-20 intrigues me. I sent Leroy a VAM-23 of that date with huge obverse cuds. Old Thread where it was discussed. You said you had passed on some of these before. If what you have is a VAM-20, not a VAM-23, this might be another exciting area to study of the 1888-O date.

On NewPs, two more arrived. A second '78 VAM-197 in PCGS 64 and an 8TF in PCGS 63. I identified it correctly as VAM-18 but, for some reason, noted it as VAM-8 and looked up valuations for VAM-8 when I bid it. That happens.

Coxe

1881-O VAM-16 ANACS 64DMPL, a pretty neat variety and the only DMPL or PL I have encountered to fill that void in my VAM PL set.

If you look in the VAM book, you might think it is not very interesting. Check out the update though. Also, I have a bunch to send to Leroy of this date, once he gets resettled in his new home. I think a there are some issues regarding consolidation of some varieties and things like that.

lkrarecoins

I cherrypicked approx 40+ Morgan Vams over the past few mos. or so.

Some of my most recent snags include the following:

1896-O Micro O - Good Raw
1921-D _rust Morgan - MS65 NNC
1921-D Tru_t - MS66 SGS
1888-O Oval O - XF/AU Raw
1924 Peace - Bar "D" VAM-1A BU Raw
1888-O - EDS Scarface - MS66 SGS
1889-O - VAM1A2 - Clashed E - Good Raw
1888-O - VAM4 Hotlips - VF Raw
1888-O - VAM4 Hotlips - VG Raw
1878-S - VAM26 Long Nock - XF Raw
1878-S - VAM26 Long Nock - XF/AU Raw
1878-S - Long Nock - VG Raw
1878-S - Long Nock - Fine Raw
1889-O - Oval O - AU Raw
1889-O - VAM-6 - VF Raw
1921-D - VAM JOH2 - AU Raw
1887-O - VAM-2 - XF/AU Raw
1899-O - Micro O - XF+ Raw
1921-D - Vam8A MS62 Raw

Damn, these were fun finding!!!

Coxe

Man, you have some skill or luck with those long nocks,

Meltdown

I found a VAM 4a on my 1884 CC - For once I'm positive about it... it has every single description mentioned front and back - Wooohoooo!

Here's what it says in Vamworld.com

4A III24· C3a (Spiked Date, Pinned Wing Gouge) (177 ) I-2 R-5
Obverse III2 4-Verticle spike from top of the 1. Some specimes show horizontal spike to left of the lower loop of the first 8.
Reverse C3a– Horizontal die gouge thru feathers in eagle’s left wing just below neck-wing junction. Horizontal die gouge thru E in STATES.

Coxe

<< <i>I found a VAM 4a on my 1884 CC - For once I'm positive about it... it has every single description mentioned front and back - Wooohoooo!

Here's what it says in Vamworld.com

4A III24· C3a (Spiked Date, Pinned Wing Gouge) (177 ) I-2 R-5
Obverse III2 4-Verticle spike from top of the 1. Some specimes show horizontal spike to left of the lower loop of the first 8.
Reverse C3a– Horizontal die gouge thru feathers in eagle’s left wing just below neck-wing junction. Horizontal die gouge thru E in STATES. >>



Have you checked the diagnostics for VAM-4B as well? Good grab for either one though.

lkrarecoins

Man, you have some skill or luck with those long nocks

Lots of luck (I found two in one Morgan lot i purchased) and a bit of an addiction

options26

Last week was slow, just wanted to keep this thread going. I think it's cool.

1888-O - Vam 1B Very EDS - PCGS 64
1888-O - Vam 4 - Raw - found 3 G, VG and VF+, G & VG appear cleaned at one time, paid melt for those 2.
1902-O - Vam 45A - Raw I grade 64, wow some mega clashing on this coin, I like it
1882 - Vam 20 - Raw 64+
1921-S - Vam 13A - Raw AU - Cool looking die break

A little off post topic, but got a cool 1845 quarter RPD in G too.

Coxe

<< <i>A little off post topic, but got a cool 1845 quarter RPD in G too. >>



I had one of those a while back (Breen-3961, ANACS VF20). Might be a neat quarterly special submission?

Latest VAMs I can recall.

The cherries:

1889 VAM-22 NGC 64 (from a lot of 3 1889 64s)
1878 VAM-14 AU58, if not UNC
1878 VAM-14.2 PCGS 64 (thought I had cherried a 14.10...so much for images)
1878 VAM-18 PCGS 63
1886 VAM-21 PCGS 64
1886-S VAM-2 NGC 63
1887-S VAM-4 NGC 64
1878-S VAM-46A MS63
1878-S VAM-5 PCGS 63
1882 VAM-15 MS64
1883 VAM-11A NGC 64
1885 VAM-7 AU53, with missing e of we
1885-O NEW FIND ICG 64PL
1886 VAM-7 PCGS 65
1887 PCGS 64PL, still need to attribute (mistaken 7/6 cherry)
1891-S VAM-16 MS63
1921 VAM-3A1 PCGS 65

bought attributed already:

1887 VAM-4 NGC 64DMPL (missing VAM in my VAM DMPL set)
1890-S VAM-1B PCGS 64 (looked for a long time for one, matches my VAM-1A in PCGS 64 just fine too)
1921-D VAM-1J LDS NGC 65 (not as late state as my ANACS XF45, but an LDS all the same and a gem)

That's all that come to mind except 1881-O and 1901 new finds I probably already mention in other threads.

cmerlo1

A couple from Houston:

1898 VAM-10 AU-58 (in an IGS MS-65 photo slab)
1882-S VAM-13 MS-63

Coxe

1880 VAM-32A NGC 64 -- got for a song and a dance
1904-O VAM-22A PCGS 63PL -- cost twice what a PL of this VAM went for in a grade higher a year ago, bid too low then.

Coxe

Got this in the mail today. I don't think I did too badly. The first is a VAM-22 (Top-100), the second is VAM-37 (doubled ear), and the third is VAM-35 (doubled ear, R-6). The first two are no-brainer crossovers and the third would go at MS63. I know someonbe else saw the bar wing as I didn't nab the three MS64s for common money all the way; but the package was an overall big bargain. I had been looking to upgrade my VAM-22 (formerly MS62) to be close to my VAM-19A (MS65). Nice boost to my VAM-35 which was formerly just an AU58.

Also got a new find 1890-S ANACS 63PL in the mail. Gotta wait until January or February to send to Leroy. Nothing crazy, just an unlisted die pairing.

Wolf359

1880-P VAM-39A BU details, cleaned.
1888-O VAM-1A PCGS MS65

Peaceman

Coxe

Gee, that's a good chunk of a roll of those. Nice.

Peaceman

Yep... about 6 years of buying every one I could find... sadly they have all been sold off...

BIGJAYVEE

I love this thread,so let's keep it going. Previously mentioned,last weeks finds,1884-O Vam 4B,Overlapped Reeding(3Pcs.),1889 Vam 45,Doubled Ear and yesterday out of stock i had,(don't know how i missed it)1884-O Vam 19A,Gouge in wheat leaf with very far date. And Peaceman,You never stop surprising us with your ability to find the tough ones.WTG.