Two Top Pop VAM's, And Dealer Story To Listen To

While browsing the Internet recently, I found and cherrypicked a late die state 1921-D VAM-1J from the stock of Gainesville Coins. It was in an NGC MS65 slab. Now, for a little background information about the VAM:

http://vamworld.wikispaces.com/1921-D+VAM-1J

Note that there is one example known in an MS65 slab. Mine apparently makes it two known in the highest grade for this VAM. It's a pretty important one as 1921-D's go. Needless to say, I was salivating while I waited for the postman to bring this one.

It arrived today. In-hand, it's gorgeous, with a little rim toning. It's definitely the VAM I thought (I have another one to compare with). My pics don't do it justice, which tells me a lot about coin photography - this coin is undoubtedly a 65 in-hand. I had my doubts at first, but approximately 200 Heritage images later, I see that it's a solid example of what TPG's are giving a grade of 65 to. For those who might be put out by marks on Liberty's cheek, be aware that they're greatly exaggerated by the lighting, and note that the fields are almost completely unblemished. The reverse is marred only by a nick on the eagle's breast (which only shows in one of my pics), and a mark northeast of the arrowheads.









Insert fruit here:



Now, for the dealer story. I sent them a message through their system requesting they reserve the coin for me, and they replied in the affirmative. Since Gainesville coins advertises here rather heavily, I couldn't just rip a major VAM from them without letting them know. So, I emailed them, informing them about the coin. These are my specific words from the email:

quote:

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In the interests of honesty, before you sell me this coin, look here:

http://vamworld.wikispaces.com/1921-D+VAM-1J

1921 Morgan VAM's are one of my specialties. As near as I can tell, your coin is an LDS VAM-1J, and will be the second known in that grade, Top Pop for the VAM. Even if it's an EDS version, it'll carry a premium over a nonvariety MS65, and as an LDS the premium would be substantial.

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The obvious implication is that I was willing to let them back out of the deal. To their great credit, they did not. We talked about it on the phone; I reinforced my belief that the coin was a major VAM, and Joe still honored his asking price.

Look. It just doesn't get any better than that. In return for their generosity, I found and informed them about another Morgan in their inventory which is a new Top Pop, one grade above the finest known for that VAM. It's beyond my means, though, at close to $1000, but it's still in their inventory and they have not changed the price since I told them about it. Email me if you're interested.