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 Replies: 14 / Views: 1,798 |
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Valued Member
United States
160 Posts |
I bought this coin in a lot with several other coins. After I received it, I examined it to determine if it may be an important VAM. From what I can see it appears to be a VAM 8. My pictures aren't very good, as I took them with my iPhone and through my loupe for the zoomed photos, but I think it is pretty obvious that the two leaves are disconnected. I'm new to VAMs and could still very easily be wrong about this. I will try to get better pictures taken and uploaded tonight and tomorrow as the current pictures really don't do the coin justice in showing detail or grade. My main question is if this is, in fact, a VAM 8 and if so does it add to the value at all? I would put the grade of the coin in the AU range.      |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
Yup, VAM-8. Most obvious due the the stick feather between the eagles left wing and leg. The first VAM I found on any of my Morgan's was also on my AU 1878 8tf amd also a VAM 8.. And I had the exact same question... If it was indeed a VAM-8 and any added value. And unfortionitely the answer is no.. In AU no added value... From your photos I can't quite tell if yours is an AU.. Here's mine to compare...   Edited by NathanASE
08/26/2013 6:45 pm
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Wow. Interesting coin. I have to disagree with the grade a bit, to the extent that I don't see it making XF or very close if it does. The leaves are obviously disconnected, but not to the degree extant with VAM-8, and the feathers at the intersection of the eagle's wings and legs (the place to start with attributing 8TF 1878's) seem to indicate the A1L reverse common to 14.2, 14.15 and 14.20. However, that reverse is predominantly known (among other pickups) for a die gouge extending from the leaf to the (visual) left of the eagle's left (as you view it) leg.
We gotta discuss this one. 14.2 is common, but 14.15 and 14.20 are silly rarities commanding significant premiums. Let's await the arrival of other 1878 specialists for comment.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Heh. NathanASE (somebody I know to have a clue about these) was typing at the same time as I.
Nathan, I based my thinking on the configuration of the eagle's right wing/leg feathers; just didn't quite fit for me. Not to mention, there's less missing leaf next to the bow than I might expect. If you're comfortable with this one as V8, then so am I.
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Valued Member
 United States
160 Posts |
I'll try to get some better pics posted. In hand I can only see rub on the highest points. But I am in no way an expert in grading so I'll get the better pics up so we can figure this out.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I'm taking my grade opinion from the detail pics you've posted of the reverse, most particularly the breast and legs of the eagle. They are quite accurate enough to form an opinion of grade if you know what the strike should look like, and I would (vainly) claim to such knowledge. I expect 1878-P's to have a very good strike in the grander scheme of the Morgan series, since they were still at that point establishing just how to mint so many darn coins in such a short time. The 8TF 1878 Morgans were the first step in what amounted to a Chinese Fire Drill of learning to cope with an unprecedented demand of production from the government. The Mint had just been tasked with producing literal millions of Dollar-sized coins, a figure they'd only reached twice for coins of that size in their history, and the government wanted to achieve that on a near-monthly basis. It was a pretty hectic time for the Mint. In the narrow period between March and May 1878, they implemented 4 different Morgan dollar designs (8TF, 7/8TF, 7TF Long Nock and C-Reverse 7TF), each rushed into production as soon as they were ready. Mint workers went home tired during that time.  But they got the job done, and they produced excellent coins throughout the period. Your coin, to me, is a good VF35 by comparison to the product they were creating during this period. It's well-circulated. But value it all the more for that; due to its' wear you can hold this coin in your hand and feel something that was forever a game-changer for the US Mint. In the aftermath of Morgan dollar production, the Mint was forced to become the world standard for what they did, a title which they haven't relinquished in the 135 years since. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
I agree with SsuperDdave in that I see this one as a low EF, I don't see it making AU. Most obvious for me is the lack of the detail on the eagles breast and legs.. But better pics would help. SsuperDdave - honestly I'd take your word on VAM's over mine everyday and twice on Sunday.. After all your the one that confirmed mine in the first place  you undoubtably know more about VAM's than I.. This one has me confused... I don't see the distinct die cracks on the date, yet I do think I see the chip on her forehead. The eagles right looks like the A1l reverse, one large, two small, yet the right side appears to be a single "stick feather" like the A1g... But I'm not seeing the vertical polishing line for the A1l.. The leaves are definitely not as polished as mine but they closely resemble the one posted on VAM World, which in that photo looks much more like the Op's than mine... And it does seem to have the extra metal in the bow. I'll wait for better pics and see if we can figure it out from there.. I have more pics of mine for other markers too look for on the V8 but for some reason it's not letting me upload anymore pics at the moment.. I'll try again in a few.. Is there heavy doubling on the eagles right wing tips (our left facing the reverse) and the letters around that side? I'll post he pic of what I'm talking about in a few... |
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
I'm leaning towards a VAM14.2 EDS. The left feathers are definitely not the A1g (VAM8) reverse.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
It's a 14.2. A sharper picture of the field to the right of Liberty's bonnet would undoubtedly show the characteristic die break. Here's a close-up of the 14.2/14.5/14.20 reverse. Note how the middle feather under the eagle's right wing (viewer's left) curves outward unlike the VAM 8 which turns inward.  |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Need a detail pic of the ear.
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Valued Member
United States
160 Posts |
My wife has some better pics on her camera which she should be sending me soon, but for now here is a detail pic of the ear. Looking at the pics of 14.2 on VAMworld, it looks like this is what I have.  |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
Looking at the pics of 14.2 on VAMworld, it looks like this is what I have. Yep, the triangular piece inside the ear tends to confirm that. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1511 Posts |
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New Member
Hong Kong
32 Posts |
I've always liked the VAM designs. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9792 Posts |
Quote:I've always liked the VAM designs. Which means all the Morgans and Peace dollars of course, each one is a VAM every single one ever made.  That's okay I like them too! "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 1,798 |
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Posted 08/26/2013 6:47 pm
