When it comes to VAMs, what's the difference between the Top100/Hot50/HotList40?

kookoox10 · May 19, 2016 11:45AM

I know it's different types of varieties. But I guess in the grand scheme of things, does one list possess rarer or more valuable types of VAMs over the other? Did the same specialist compile all of these lists?

I'm curious because I had a guy who was selling a couple Hot 50's tell me they are much rarer VAMs compared to what's in the Top 100, which helps justify his asking price. I don't know if that's the case, but maybe you guys can help clarify some of this for me. Because I don't want to overpay for something I don't necessarily need.

BryceM · May 19, 2016 11:57AM

There are maybe three or four VAMs I'd pay a small premium for, but it's possible that there is a bigger market for them than I think.

There are a few VAM experts around here. Hopefully they'll actually answer the question you asked.

coindeuce · May 19, 2016 12:19PM

The TOP 100 set was purposely composed on a broad scope of features in the hope of gaining new interest in this area. The subsequent lists were a bit more refined to more narrow parameters, with a greater percentage of the coins from those lists having higher rarity/interest ratings, that might appeal more to intermediate to advanced specialists. One also has to consider that the interest level in the TOP 100 set generated an exponential increase from 1996 forward in the search for new discoveries. There are some VAM specialists whose sole interest in the field is earning credit for new discoveries. Each of the 3 sets were a collaborative effort of many collectors to compose, but most of them were already known through the early research of Leroy VanAllen and A.George Mallis.

To the OP - you may want to consider researching the seller's claims through vamworld.com, where I think it is fair to state that you'll get reasonably accurate third party opinions of the value of the coins you are considering. What are the coins which were offered to you ?

messydesk · May 19, 2016 12:22PM

The difference between the three lists you cite are simply when the lists were formed. The Top 100 came first, then the Hot 50 and HitList 40. Each list has some coins that are easy to find, some that take a bit of hunting, and some that are "stoppers." All coins in all lists were chosen because of interesting features and/or well-known rarity.

When it comes to VAMs, what's the difference between the Top100/Hot50/HotList40?

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