Another VAM question

direwolf1972

Ok so I guess I am hooked. The next day I have off I want to go look through the shop I was last in with a little more time on my hands. I'm figuring I can keep about five good images in my head with certainty. So here's my question and I'm sure I'll get some varying opinions.

What would you say the top 5 VAMS to look for are that:

1. Are desirable in the VAM community.

2. Don't cost a ton of money if they aren't VAM's. That way to minimize lose since I'm still new and learning. Really don't want to make a mistake on a CC VAM.

3. Are semi easy to spot and doesn't have several subsets that one is desirable and another isn't. When I say semi easy to spot, I mean I don't want to be counting reeds or something the likes there of.

options26

This may be interesting to learn what some of the VAMers think.

Make sure your checking the coins in older holders for VAMs, remember these companies didn't recognize them unless they were a red book variety at the time they were graded.

cmerlo1

Great topic- I'm new to the VAM world, too, so I'm looking forward to what everyone has to say...

bottleguy

Here's what I do when cherrypicking VAMS without a lot of time.

First, get to know CLASHED DIES, especially a clashed "N" or "G" on the obverse under the jaw, a clashed "S" or "T" in the hair vee, and/or a clashed "M" over IN GOD WE TRUST on the reverse. Most of these are VAMs which carry a premium.

Next, I look for doubled dates, ears, profiles, mintmarks, arrow feathers, and/or arrows. Not all carry a premium, but many do.

Die cracks do not a VAM make. What I mean by this is that, if you can't see the die crack or break with the naked eye, it is usually not a signifiacnt VAM. Although, keep your eye out for die cracks and breaks that you can see with the naked eye, and especially ones that have damaged the letters or features of the coin.

Also, get to know your "Dates in the Denticles". These are also easy to pick out with just a magnifying glass and can be significant.

Die gouges might a VAM make, but like die cracks and breaks, are usually just an identifier for non-significant VAMS. If you can see a die gouge with the naked eye, grab it. These have good potential for a premium.

I've found that it's just too hard for me to remember all dates and mints with significant VAMS, so when I cherrypick, I make sure I purchase the coin as if it weren't a significant VAM, i.e. if I get it home and it isn't, I want to be able to off it for close to what I paid.

I'm sure others will chime in with more advice, but anyway, happy hunting!!

And, good luck!

HTH,

Rick

mcmxi

1878 vams 14.11, and 44. 1887 vam 1a. 1888-o vams 1b and 4

options26

ttt

Wolf359

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Coxe

Here are some from among the very common/affordable dates.

1880 : VAM-23 and VAM-39A
1886 : VAM-20
1887 : VAM-1A and VAM-1B, 7/6
1887-O : VAM-22A, 7/6
1888-O : VAM-1B, VAM-7A and the oval Os (VAM-4 hot lips, but dealers know to look for them)
1889 : VAM-23A and bar wings
1889-O : VAM-1A, VAM-20A and oval Os
1899-O : micro o
1891 : VAM-2A
1900-O : VAM-29A, O/CC, and the counterfeits (micro o and VAM-22)
1902-O : micro o
1921-D : VAM-1X

direwolf1972

Went to coin shop today. 4 Morgans and 1 Peace dollar in car. Have to head out to dinner cant wait to get home and photo them.

direwolf1972

Pretty sure the first one is 1888-O VAM-24. The second picture I'm not as sure about which 1888 oval O it is yet. Still working on secondary properties.

eyoung429

mis-read the question.

1. long nock 1878
2. look for clashed "E" under tailfeathers on 1884 O, 1886 O, 1891 O
3. 1879, look for the rev. 1878 parallel arrow
4. Learn the different 1883 O's

messydesk

Applying all of you criteria, I'd say 5 that really fit are:

1878 VAM 14.11 (although this might be mistakable for VAM 14.2 if you're careless)
1878 VAM 44
1878-S Long nock
1888-O VAM 4
1903-S Micro S

All are Top 100 coins, so they've been widely sought for 10 years, but they're always going to be desirable VAMs.