Post your favorite Morgan die variety (VAM)

Avocet · January 18, 2022 4:24PM

I have enjoyed collecting Morgan Dollar die varieties, and I have developed a few favorites. These are pictures of one of my favorites, the 1880-O Hangnail (VAM-48). Which die variety is your favorite?

vulcanize · January 18, 2022 4:32PM

Had posted mine earlier on a similar thread

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/13119907#Comment_13119907

Avocet · January 18, 2022 4:45PM

@vulcanize said:
Had posted mine earlier on a similar thread

https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/comment/13119907#Comment_13119907

Apologies for missing the previous thread-- you have a beautiful coin there!

vulcanize · January 18, 2022 4:48PM

Thank you and no worries.
Cheers.

gumby1234 · January 18, 2022 5:52PM

First Morgan dollars struck

Avocet · January 18, 2022 6:28PM

@gumby1234 said:

First Morgan dollars struck

This is fantastic-- struck at 3:17pm on March, 11, 1878 for Rutherford B. Hayes-- awesome history, and rare. Beautiful coin!

Tibor · January 18, 2022 6:39PM

Bought this from Bill Fivaz 40 years ago.

Also from Bill.

Bought this from Dave McGlothlin

Avocet · January 18, 2022 7:05PM

@Tibor said:

Bought this from Bill Fivaz 40 years ago.

Also from Bill.

Bought this from Dave McGlothlin

These are great specimens! The 1878 triple blossom history is very interesting, and I am jealous of each of these. Here are some pics of my Donkey Tail specimen....

Tibor · January 18, 2022 7:27PM

@Avocet Your coin is much nicer than mine. How many different VAM's do you have?

vulcanize · January 18, 2022 7:31PM

I believe my 1880/9 S is a VAM 11 (0/9 Overdate), the 1902 O is a VAM 25 Doubled Obverse/Ear and a cleaned 1921 D with VAM 1L 2 (Die break AM) but not attributed onthe label by PCGS.
Also have a cleaned ANACS 1891 O with VAM 1B (Pitted Reverse).

Unfortunately no pics at this time since am away from my collection.

relicsncoins · January 18, 2022 7:52PM

This is the only one that I have that I know of. I didn't even know I had it. My Grandma left it to me in a PVC flip with some other coins. I thought it looked like a 65 so I submitted it at the 2006 ANA worlds fair of money. It came back with the VAM designation.

Avocet · January 19, 2022 6:06AM

@Tibor said:
@Avocet Your coin is much nicer than mine. How many different VAM's do you have?

I am lucky to have a few die variants in my Morgan collection, and I am looking for more. It has been a slow process of collecting for me over many years.

Avocet · January 19, 2022 6:10AM

@relicsncoins said:
This is the only one that I have that I know of. I didn't even know I had it. My Grandma left it to me in a PVC flip with some other coins. I thought it looked like a 65 so I submitted it at the 2006 ANA worlds fair of money. It came back with the VAM designation.

This is a great story and a fantastic coin! This die variety reminds me of a vampire-like appearance.

ricko · January 19, 2022 7:36AM

Someday, when I am old and gray (darn, that is now), I will have to look at my many Morgans for VAM's... Have never got into that area. Probably have some. Cheers, RickO

Aercus · January 19, 2022 7:50AM

Not my coin but one of my favorite varieties of this series. The 1901 shifted eagle.

messydesk · January 19, 2022 9:33AM

I don't know that I could pick out a favorite. It's hard to put down an 88-O Hot Lips in high grade (AU and up). The 98-O VAM 20 (large/small date) is in a class of its own. There are so many cool ones. Interesting to see what people like here. There's always something about the first one you find, add to the catalog, or have a neat story about.

Avocet · January 19, 2022 9:59AM

@messydesk said:
I don't know that I could pick out a favorite. It's hard to put down an 88-O Hot Lips in high grade (AU and up). The 98-O VAM 20 (large/small date) is in a class of its own. There are so many cool ones. Interesting to see what people like here. There's always something about the first one you find, add to the catalog, or have a neat story about.

I agree that picking a favorite is tough, and for me, the choice is a product of many things, such as the background story, character of the die variation, and even the name of the die variation. Some interesting stories come from discovering die varieties in old collections; I enjoy seeing what people share. The “hot lips” variety is also at the top of my list.

Post your favorite Morgan die variety (VAM)

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