I Have A VAM Question For This Group ..... Help Me Here Please

I have wondered about VAMs as well. Thank you for asking.

This is not an easy question to answer, but I'll try to hit the highlights. First read the sticky at the top of the page.

VAM refers to the catalog designation for the obverse and reverse die pairing and not to individual anomalies on the coin itself. There are countless VAMs because the mints used countless dies to make Morgan and Peace dollars. Probably 90%+ have no value over any other coin of the same date and mint mark. But those with low populations and high collector interest (see VamWorld for the I=interest and R=rarity values for each VAM) an I5/R7 coin is usually worth mucho deniro. Another factor for value is the Top 100/50 Hot 30 sets (there are other sets). Vammers compete to have the most complete and highest graded sets. They will spend some money to fill holes.


A sizable group of collectors embraced the effort of Leroy Van Allen and George Mallis. As knowledge grew, additional interest followed. Now that the major TPGs are involved, this obscure group has been legitimized. Motivation for Vammers run the gamut from pure learning and expanding the hobby, to set collectors and profiteers, or a combination of these.

There can be profit if your willing to work at it. I found an ebay offering for an 1880-P that the seller even described as "nothing spectacular" ... but I noticed something spectacular. I bought the coin for $40 and later sold that VAM 8 "Ears" for $4K.

If you haven't spent some time over on VamWorld, I would highly recommend you do.

Most US series have specialists and enthusiasts that get into the details of the die parings. Early Coppers and bust half dollars are couple glowing examples where knowing the coins die parings is almost essential. In the world of Morgan / Peace dollars, it's the same thing.

I collect the year 1882. For the Indian cents there are a few varieties of RPD and MDP. I'm up to 4 of them so far!

For the 1882 dollars, there are 3 main 0/S OMM and a couple 0/0s that are notable die varieties. In MS, the O/S can be rather lucrative cherry-picks.

I personally love the major die clashes that can be found in the 1882-CCs. On these, the VAMers have identified the various die states as the die progressed from new to retired. These stages are sometimes collected too.

I understand these are all minor details, but it keeps the thrill of the chase alive. I think that hunt is what makes them fun and provides for a market to exist.