PCGS Offers VAM Certification Service

(Newport Beach, California) -- Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) now is authenticating, grading, and attributing more than 325 of the most popular VAM varieties of U.S. Morgan and Peace silver dollars. PCGS announced the new program on the opening day of the Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo with a display of three dozen major VAM varieties, and immediately began accepting submissions.


PCGS is now certifying over 325 Morgan and Peace dollar varieties by VAM attribution. One of the most valuable Morgan dollar varieties, VAM-44, has tripled cotton blossoms on the obverse and seven over eight tail feathers on the reverse design.

PCGS is now certifying over 325 Morgan and Peace dollar varieties by VAM attribution. One of the most valuable Morgan dollar varieties, VAM-44, has tripled cotton blossoms on the obverse and seven over eight tail feathers on the reverse design.

VAM is an acronym for Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis, authors of the precedent-setting reference book, A Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan and Peace dollars. The varieties of the coins are listed by VAM number. Over the years more than 3,000 different VAM numbers have been assigned for major and minor varieties, some easily distinguished with the unaided eye, others requiring close inspection with a magnifying glass.

The initial PCGS VAM certification program will involve the attribution of 277 Morgan (1878 - 1921) and 52 Peace (1921 - 1935) dollars' major varieties.

"The VAM varieties that PCGS now certifies have been identified by collectors as worthy of special recognition," said Ron Guth, PCGS Director of Numismatic Research.

In addition to the Van Allen and Mallis reference guide, these varieties are listed in several other numismatic books: The Top 100 Morgan dollar Varieties: The VAM Keys; SSDC Official Guide to the Hot 50 Morgan dollar Varieties; The Official Guide to the Top 50 Peace dollars; and The 1878 Morgan dollar 8 Tail Feathers Attribution Guide.

"Collecting Morgan and Peace dollars by variety became popular in the late 1960s after Leroy Van Allen's first book on the subject, Morgan and Peace dollar Varieties, was published in 1965. He and A. George Mallis collaborated on a reference book, Guide to Morgan and Peace dollars, in 1971, then expanded it in 1976 to become the standard reference work on the subject, A Comprehensive Catalogue and Encyclopedia of U.S. Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars. The third edition of that book was published in 1991," explained Guth.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the values of some VAM varieties, such as VAM-44, the 1878 Morgan dollar with tripled cotton blossoms on the obverse, and seven over eight tail feathers on the reverse design. An example of that variety was included in the PCGS display at the Long Beach Expo.

The cost of the VAM variety program is $15 per coin in addition to the level of certification service requested by the submitter. Walkthrough at PCGS headquarters will be $115; Express service $65; Regular $45; and Economy $33 per coin. VAM attribution will not be available for on-site "Show Service," however, submissions for the other levels of service will be accepted at the PCGS during various coin shows and conventions around the country.


Close-up of the tripled cotton blossoms on VAM-44, one of the more than 325 Morgan and Peace dollar VAM varieties now being certified by PCGS.