Morgan Date Centering Question

chiefbob · February 22, 2008 2:06AM

I use VAMWorld and the VAM Morgan pocket reference in my novice attempt to learn how to distinguish the varieties.

When I see the "near date" and "far date" designation, there's not much info on exactly what that means. So I look at the "normal" die for that date and then see where Liberty's pointed neck bottom is in relation to the denticles. Is this a good method to determine whether the date is nearer or further than normal?

Here's a pic from VAMWorld for the 1885-O VAM-5 Slanted High Far Date:

So I count how many denticles there are from the neck point over to the left side of the bottom of the "1" crossbar. It's about a denticle more than I see on the "normal" die. Is this how you determine it?

Also, the "slanted high date" designation. Is it reasonable to look at the distance from the bottom of the "1" in the date to the denticles vs. the distance from the bottom of the last date digit to the denticles underneath? If the right side is higher, then is that "high slanted date" determination?

Thanks for any help you can give on this VAM detective work!

Bob

lkrarecoins · February 22, 2008 2:25AM

I agree that this can be some complicated work....I look at the positioning of the date and denticles as well.
I havent gotten to the point where I can tell from a normal or slanted date as of yet.

Hopefully a "real" VAM expert will have a better method.

Len

chiefbob · February 22, 2008 2:32AM

Ha ha! Glad to hear that I'm not the only one trying to figure this out, Len.
BTW, I grew up on Staten Island years ago.

Here's a pic of my 1885-O Morgan that I think may be a VAM-5 like the pic from VAMWorld above:

Now, let's hear from a VAM expert.

VAM-challenged Bob

DennisH · February 22, 2008 2:37AM

Bob:

You are correct! The position of the date relative to the denticle that Liberty's bust points to is how near and far dates are determined.

I think you have an eye for this VAM stuff; have fun with it!

chiefbob · February 22, 2008 2:39AM

Thanks, Dennis. I just edited my post before yours with a pic of my 1885-O. What's your opinion on VAM-5 status?

Thanks,
Bob

DennisH · February 22, 2008 7:40AM

Bob:

Even though I'm a VAM addict, my opinion is that any Morgan whose VAM distinction is based upon high-low-left-right positioning of the date falls under the heading of "yawn" -- which is the case for about 98% of all VAMs.

Morgan Date Centering Question

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