Any Shortcuts To Acquiring VAM Expertise?

I too have been bitten by the VAM bug.

I attributed my GSA 1884-CC on the VAM website, but too late to have it added to my ANACS foil seal.

Someone mentioned a VAM website (on my home computer favorites). VAMWorld?

Practice, and several breaks in between to rest your eyes or you will start to see things that really are not there.

I got bit hard when I was studying my 1878 double feathers. Looking at the obverse first I swore the blossoms were tripled. I flipped the coin over only to find out it is actually a VAM 38. Still a lot of cool markers on this coin but not worth anywheres near the VAM 44. I am still confused on how the VAM 38 appears with and without the reverse clash marks without a sub category for one or the other. Mine does have the clash marks.

I'd read that. Only problem was actually doing it.

I need a computer scanner to do all the work. Yep.

I attended the very first ANA Summer Seminar on VAMs by Jeff Oxman and Dr. Michael Fey in Colorado Springs right around the time the TOP100 book came out, even had a chance to purchase a VAM44 1878-P 7/8 in MS62/63 PL for about $2500 from another student, I passed, Doh! But seeing how much could be made fom Vamming all my dollars and at dealers and shops/shows those first few months, really allowed me to get a leg up on aquirring some really great tough VAMs before the word got out. The bug bit and I never stopped collecting them!

Also look to joining the SSDC (Society of Silver Dollar Collectors) if you are really into them.

You may want to concentrate on a couple of biggies, in the more common dates, and search for those at a coin show, I looked at every 1878-S dollar I can at coin shows just in the hopes I might turn up a long arrow nock, I've found 3 so far the highest grade was AU in a junk box! (Made about 1000% profit that day), I traded it off for some other dollars I needed, probably should have held on to it though in hindsight.

Its not about shorting the sheets... Or any fast track thing to make you the VAM master..Each date has its own particulars..Just as certain dates have poor or remarkable strikes, such as the 1881-s..."""Outstanding STRIKES""" is a normal occurance....
The basics of what determines ANY VAM is the starting points....What is and What is NOT attributable...It does take some time and hours,, Mostly as each year is different for what is highly colletable for that year,
Basic attribution points are necessary, when stepping into the different years minted.....
BASIC starting references will always be...
Date placement, Mint mark placement, and other unique points, Pick up points, such as clashings or doublings ect......These are the basics General guidlines to approach any given year, yet some years as the 1878 have many more points of interest, and this year of study is broken down to many more levels as on can see w2hen reviewed..

Ah, I see. I purchased many Morgans as part of an estate sale. Mu subconscious rebelled at selling 1878's and 1879's. Good thing, as now I have some coins to play with.

or Vamillated?