Started A VAM Registry Set I've Always Wanted To. #14

So whats next? I think I like the ULDS idea. It is a heck of an undertaking. I like (like most people) the LDS of breaks. That mustache is BEAUTIFUL like all the other coins in this thread.

Do me a favor. I know that you have the registry set and all, can you post on here the VAM/Grade (we know they are all PCGS)

for example... 1923-P VAM-1C MS-61 (or whatever the grade is)

I am really impressed with the nice coins you have and am glad you started a registry set. Keep em' coming!

YOU LUCKY DOG! Shes a beauty!

Just got around to putting this one up in my collection... The 'Chin Bar' is one of the easier Top 50 coins to locate. This variety only has one stage which is the die gouge from the chin down to the tip of the '1' in the date. Very early die states will show a crisper, cleaner mark that has no breaks in. In later die states, where the die has been used more, the die gouge becomes fainter and somewhat broken. This example has two errors on it. Not only is it a 1F, it also has a large lamination on the reverse in front of the Eagle's breast. Usually PCGS doesn't slab laminations in 'normal' holders. I'm surprised this was missed but I'm very happy to own it.

Despite the fact that the bulk of this thread has been supported by only two people, It has definitely been one of the most interesting and informative threads that I have yet read. Beautiful coins, lively, yet friendly discussion.

Being a relative novice in the coin arena, I would like to ask a question relating to this statement made as a major aspect of the thread:

"In short, a Cud forms when part of the die breaks at the rim. It gets progressively worse, never better."

Is this always the case? Are Cuds always caused by a die breaking? I know that there is a book entitled 'The Cud Book' by a gentleman named Thurman, but I have not yet had the opportunity to read it.

Even Dozen... Now there are 3 people.. ;)

The gouge that creates the "Bar D" does not go through a die progression. Early die state gouges will actually look more crisp than later die states because as the die is used, the gouge becomes fainter over time. In this variety, however, we do not see the quality of the die gouge change much at all. This would indicate that the operator corrected the problem quickly. Before this was done, the obverse went through 4 different progressions. The first progression carried only the die gouge. The second includes die polish lines from under the nose, down the outline of the face and finally down to the date and around the rim to the word "IN". The 3rd includes the new designation, the 1924 VAM 1A2, which this example exhibits. This extra designation shows a die crack with field displacement from the Rim next to the "T" in "TRVST" to the tip of the hair. Listed as a R7, I believe this crack should be a R5. The final state includes all of the above plus a small die crack coming out of the "O" in "GOD" at 11:00 and an additional die gouge with files lines coming down from inbetween the word "WE" to the rim below.

It's LDS only because a die crack has formed in an area that was previously polished by the operator. Look at the big blown up version in my registry set. Die crack length determines just how far along the die is in its life. The longer the crack is, the closer it is towards the end of its life. This is the only one I know of with a die crack in this location, thus I'd go as far as saying it's an ULDS coin.

More to come....

1922 VAM 2F (Hair Pin)with a rim clip at 1:30

One of the harder coins to locate in this set, this example has 3 errors on it. The first error is the VAM or "Doubled Eagle's Head". The second error is the strike-thru on the cheek. Finally this coin has rim Cud on the obverse at 1:00. This denotes the coin being in an Ultra Late Die State. Thus far, as Top 50 Peace dollar Vams go, this is the only one known with a Cud. Enjoy.