Is VAMming A Volatile Hobby?

VAMworld must be taken in context, and respected for what it is: the center of the universe of VAMming. The people who will shape the future of Morgan dollar varieties exchange information there. The ones who are doing the things we wish would be done with the knowledge base of Morgan VAMs are doing that work there. Frankly, I don't consider VAMworld the appropriate venue for the beginning VAM collector. Although the Internet is free (in a sense), it's the same thing as looking for the yesterday's newspaper in the Library of Congress - although you could find it there, chances are it'd be easier done elsewhere and in the meantime you'll be rubbing the serious folk the wrong way.

I do not mean that in any disparaging sense. What's happening at VAMworld is vital to the future of our hobby, and I have a level of respect for those people which approaches awe. VAMworld should be considered a research center, and allowed to function as such. I read their forum, and contribute there occasionally in a small way (the current VAM of the Week is my work), but I only post on rare occasions because my agenda is only peripheral to them. I try to leave them alone because I lack the experience and expertise to operate at their level.

It's up to places like Coin Community, in my opinion, to take care of the newer collectors. If you're serious about wanting to learn about VAM's, the first things you need to know are that 99% of them will be difficult to attribute and never worth more than "normal" value. Then you need to learn how to come to that conclusion about the coin you have on the desk in front of you.

This process should not be foisted on those who are engaged in creating the database.

Yes, I know, there are plenty of people at VAMworld who are more than happy to help newbies. Some of those people post here, as well, to our greater benefit. Some of those there who are less kind to the newer collector should stand for a while in front of the mirror to consider who they're seeing. It's not my place to judge either, but to help create an alternative, an environment conducive to the beginning of a long happy relationship with these beautiful cartwheels. That way those who are devoting their lives to expanding the known universe of Morgans are able to operate in greater freedom.

Some of the things they find difficult are rather.....easier for those of us whose experience is greater in navigating the twists and turns of shepherding an online community. That's as it should be - one concentrates on what one does well. I've been collecting Morgans for about five years, and Moderating online for a decade. Although I might be able to help what they're doing at VAMworld in some small sense, better for me to do what I'm doing here; it's (in my mind) just as important to the furtherance of VAMming.

We at Coin Community are blessed with a core of collectors whose knowledge runs to VAMs, and whose inclination is to share that knowledge with newer collectors. The variety bug hits hard, but it doesn't hit everyone and it doesn't always stay with those who first feel it. Better for that process to take place in an environment separated from those who are actually creating the foundation upon which we stand.

That is a very good analogy, but I was reading comic books and throwing spit balls. Wish I would have come here first, but, I didn't.

That is one of my favorite things about you Gene. You are unwavering, steady as a rock. Many times, when I do not understand anything else, I 'do know' that I am very happy to call you 'friend'.

I'm ready for bed, but,,,,,Dave's last post is sifting though my mind......
So I have to say......he's RIGHT ON.........in all those points......I hope you all will RE-READ superdave's last post or bak your chit up and READ...
I felt his comment got passed over from the comments that lead astray from the heart and the heat of the thread....his remarks are about the fundamental Ideas of vaming. and how so many are here to help you get through the basic's..Vamming can and is in many ways a microscopic event......but it doesn't mean you can't see the doubling in front of your eyes.....My first Morgan that hooked me was an 1878P...redfield coin for those of you who know what that is,,,,,DOUBLED EVERTHING.....boy am I excited......one lone pimple(LOL)(Terry) meant VAM 4.......common coin......Still a nice coin but,,,,,It took me into the world of Vaming......I have no regrets either, I have learned a lot over the years it takes time and patience, and aquired knowledge that those here are willing to lend...... and the friends I have met out way any coin I might find....

WOW! Vam-9 in MS-60+ is a very tough cookie. I suspect that you have already read somewhere my thoughts on the history portion of vam-9 though, 'eh Oz?

I often wondered too, why many many people seem to have this
VAM 9,,interesting thought there Oz.....

I wholeheartedly agree.

As for the thing about the production numbers vs. known examples, I doubt that anyone has a reasonable handle on either. Anytime a poll is taken, half of the numbers include examples that are now in someone else's possession, or one that they saw somewhere, or a couple that they think that someone else has, etc, etc, and so the numbers are exaggerated.

Many folks express the belief that production levels were in the thousands, while others cling to the romantic story of the reporter and the magic number of 303.

I do not buy into either notion for reasons based on careful personal consideration and research, but I do have a figure in mind which is much closer to 303 than to one thousand.