What is a "VAM" Morgan Dollar

Delorean

Howdy Everyone,

Can someone please tell me what a "VAM" Morgan Silver Dollat is?

Thanks,
Chuck.

coindeuce

Chuck, the term VAM is an acronym for the pioneers of research on die varieties of the Morgan and Peace dollar series. Leroy Van Allen and the late A. George Mallis began identifying the various die markers and die pairings of these series as early as the 1950's. The research continues today with new discoveries by a multitude of specialized collectors that contribute the information.

erroid

There's a ton of info, as well as VAM's at: http://www.vamworld.com/

kartwheel

(dummy version) simple terms........an error morgan or peace. Usually by die variety ........ie. doubling, die cracks and so on. There are so many that they had to write a book. Like coindeuce said Van Allen and Mallis = VAM. And like erroid said...vamworld is a cornicopia of information on the subject......(did I just say cornicopia?)

Kimberly

coindeuce

<< <i>(dummy version) simple terms........an error morgan or peace. Usually by die variety ........ie. doubling, die cracks and so on. There are so many that they had to write a book. Like coindeuce said Van Allen and Mallis = VAM. And like erroid said...vamworld is a cornicopia of information on the subject......(did I just say cornicopia?)

Kimberly >>


A VAM is not necessarily an error Kimberly. Mint errors are created when a mechanical error in the minting process occurs, such as die rotation, out of collar positioning, or even die clashing. But an error coin can be identified as a VAM from the dies which created the coin. VAM numbers are strictly intended to identify the physical characteristics of the dies, which are transferred to the planchet in the striking process, not the physical characteristics which are created by a fault (error) in the mechanical process of striking.

jfoot13

Being a nickel guy I may be all wrong but I was under the impression pretty much all silver dollars were VAMs.. some more desirable than others, some rarer than others and seeing it's a work in progress the rest of them are just unattributed VAMs

DorkGirl

All Morgans and Peace are VAMs. They are die marriages which are varieties, not errors. Some are very special and expensive, some are boring.....

cmerlo1

<< <i>All Morgans and Peace are VAMs. They are die marriages which are varieties, not errors. Some are very special and expensive, some are boring..... >>



Some of the boring ones are special and expensive!

kartwheel

Sorry guys! I already know all this, but I had some wine last night......hence the words "dummy", "cornicopia", and "CRAP ON A STICK!!!" on the post a peace dollar thread! HA. Thanks for the corrections.

Words of advice, "Don't drink and type"

Kimberly

tahoe98

<< <i>Howdy Everyone,

Can someone please tell me what a "VAM" Morgan Silver Dollat is?

Thanks,
Chuck. >>




.......this is one of a few sites on VAM'S

vam site

Type2

Is this one ?

blu62vette

Some examples for you.



lots of clashing: arrow points to the eye being clashed, also see the E, lips, nose and cotton balls. Note the 7 clashes of the back of the cap at the top right.





Hangnail die gauge

TwoSides2aCoin

Dare to enter the world of VAMs and you'll never look at a buck the same.

coinnuttius

<< <i>Is this one ? >>



Yes. VAM-11, TOP-100.

Coxe

The VAM number of a Morgan dollar is the enumeration of that coin for its date in the Encyclopedia of Morgan and Peace Dollars by Leroy Van Allen and George Mallis, and subsequent maintained, but unpublished, updates. That is not a catalogue of errors. It is also not, despite the common claim, a catalogue of distinct die pairings. It is a catalogue of distinct die characteristic pairings and their evolutions are deemed listable by the authors.

(1) A die designation is not restricted to a distinct identified die. There are many cases where a designated obvese or reverse actually represents several demonstrably different obverses or reverses. Due to the number of dies and dates, this is more practical than some of us prefer.

(2) Listable die evolutions, contrary to the understanding of some unitiated, do not include small legend cracks or typically uninteresting clash marks. There are some distinctions that are difficult to observe with the naked eye or 5X magnification, but they are in a very small minority.

(3) Minting errors, again a common misundertsanding, are not part of the VAM listing. There were some filled die errors that made it into the catalogue in the past. Leroy Van Allen is actively purging them at times of opportunity, like when a revision is necessary. Striking errors have never been part of the catalogue. (Don't get started with the 1921-D VAM-1X!)

So every Morgan is a VAM.

CoinOnTheCob

I thought I had come across a cool one. It was a strike through error. I sent images to Leroy Van Allen but he said that he is no longer assigning VAM numbers for strike through errors becauise there are so few in a series.






NO "R" IN "TRUST" IN THE MOTTO.

Coxe

Nonetheless, there are people who love the filled dies with the missing motto letters. The old 1889 VAM-5B is one, though eliminated, that is still sought. A famous 1921-D will not likely be eliminated because of its list status.

CoinOnTheCob

I've owned it for several years. I sold it on eBay for $56.00.