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 Replies: 14 / Views: 2,881 |
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Valued Member
United States
79 Posts |
Question, what are the rarity ratings on VAMs? I'm trying to figure out my 1894 O Morgan, which I am fairly certain is a VAM 8 at this point. In VAMorld, they are saying it has a rarity rating of 3. Also something about "I-2." No pics unfortunatly on thir website. Once I get a few good closeups, I'll share them here and with them. It's my first time attributing a VAM, kind of exciting. |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
"I" is "Interest," an estimation of the wow factor of the given VAM. "Rarity" is also an estimate, both being made at the time of the designation of the VAM. These are both educated guesses on the part of Leroy Van Allen when he awards the VAM, and can only be considered as "guesses." He's usually spot-on for the lower ranges, but remember some of these designations are a decade or more old, and the march of time and additional research can change the reality. |
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Valued Member
 United States
79 Posts |
Is it a ten point scale, lowest number not as rare, higherst number rarest? Does the rarity of the coin itself affect the rarity of the VAM? Sorry about all the questions, I'm a learning NOOB... Thank you thank you thank you |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
It's an 8-point scale, moving the way you think. Don't forget, these are estimates. The coin is the VAM. VAMs are the variety designations for Morgans, the same way other issues have variety designations like Overton numbers for Bust Halves and Sheldon designations for copper. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
10625 Posts |
The biggest factor for the value of a given VAM is the interest number. The higher the interest number the greater the potential value as a general rule. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
unfortunately R-3 and I-2 would not make this a very desirable VAM. There are probably not allot of people searching for one so it would probably be one of those VAM's that add little to no value to the coin |
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Valued Member
United States
79 Posts |
Bryan, I think the thing is more that I already got the coin at a good price though, and being new to this that I took it home and happened to find out it was a VAM-8, even if it isn't a rare or sought after one, and it doesn't increase the value, it's rare to me. I posted a pic on the other thread before it was moved here, I think it's pretty cool still for my first VAM out of a $40 tray. Now just since this morning, I went from a NOOB who didn't know what a VAM was to learning how to spot them. |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:Now just since this morning, I went from a NOOB who didn't know what a VAM was to learning how to spot them. You're in trouble now, brother. You'll never be able to look at it as "just a Morgan" again.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
I still remember my first VAM I discovered I had also. I collected quite a few Morgan dollars before I had ever heard the term VAM being used and when I did my days of collecting just Morgans was over, it was all about the VAM's so I can definitely relate to your excitement. I was in no way trying to speak badly about your coin, I thought you were asking for a value of the coin and that is why I mentioned it was probably one of the VAM's that do not add any value to the coin |
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Valued Member
United States
79 Posts |
Bryan,
Actually I thank you for the honest input. Once you guys told me the scales for interest and rarity, I kind of figured it wouldn't increase the value much, and you guys confirmed it for me. I'm one of those guys who appreciate the truth rather than to have smoke blown up my posterior LOL!
And as an update, I am now in the process of examining my other Peace and Morgans. I found a die gouge and a doubled "I" on a 1925 Peace so far, so I am looking forward to comparing it to VAMworld along with any other little discoveries I make in my collection.
I will, of course, be sharing pics and closeups with you and everyone else here as I find them!
Thanks!
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Valued Member
United States
255 Posts |
Robfromshasta,
Like you, I collected Morgans and then found out about VAMs. Now I see die cracks in sidewalks and die breaks in my old plastered walls! It is an area I never would have thought I'd enjoy as much as I do. Can't wait for the next paycheck so I can hunt some more!
Enjoy!
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Valued Member
United States
386 Posts |
I hear you Kellyk. I'm hooked on VAM's. I'm spending hours trying to attribute the ones I have. It's a really fun (and sometimes obsessive)venture. Fun times, and thanks to all of the experienced VAM'mers who help us new guys out. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1812 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:Below is a forum thread I posted on this subject about 10 months ago as the rarity scale used for VAMs in The Cherry Pickers Guide is opposite then the one used in my VAM Catalog. I wish that thread had gotten more attention when it appeared. The "R" rarity scale is not near granular-enough to describe all issues using the same scale quantities. It's intuitively obvious that one cannot evaluate relative rarity of a Morgan by the same standards as one might use for, say, Seated dollars which were minted in an order of magnitude less quantity. The URS scale could easily encompass all issues, with twenty steps. Not to mention, for all but the rarest Morgans (broken down by VAM), rarity is a dart thrown in the dark. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
you MAY BE on to something dave,, and sarcasm as we grow older reminds of what people have said or listed..and we find later the results..... Such is the rareity scale....once predicted......by its potential, occurance......"the reality" of those potential percentage of clashings and other error types...errors...ect....is by its self...in truth revealed by the findings.. Many a coin is said to be rare by its percentage....there by deamed collectable....and others not on the list with very few know... not on a list.....WHICH is the true rareity? the VAM 11a is listed as a "R7" which people don't pay any premium....could be after it was known as a rare coin... it was found it wasn't so hard to find.... |
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Replies: 14 / Views: 2,881 |
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Posted 11/16/2012 5:01 pm
