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 Replies: 23 / Views: 2,876 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4000 Posts |
Wasn't sure if I should start a new thread or revive one of the many "where to begin" threads. First, I know nothing about VAM's, other than the concept. I know the best teacher is experience. One of the coin dealers at my local flea market has a display case of Morgans for $20 and they look like they are in decent condition. I have to assume he knows what he's got and they are pretty common. But, I would think any Morgan would be worth $20, right? Just wondering if I should pick up a few, then try and attribute them and gain experience that way, rather than trying to read and go search. What do you think? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2797 Posts |
Scooby, Depends on your reasons for collecting VAMs ... is it to profit or collect or a combination of both? If it's for profit, I'd hold off on spending $$ for unknowns hoping for a windfall. The reason some VAMs are pricey is rarity. I started slow and made mistakes (none serious). I learned as I went along and followed discussions here and on VAMWorld. I joined SSDC to get the price guide so I would have a ballpark idea on value. I've had success of late (more hits than misses) and sold some of my duplicates (around 8 coins bought for about $300) for around $2000 total. Now I can continue to expand my collection. I picked a few dates to focus on (1878, 1880, 1891-O). I chose these because there are some pricey rarities in bunch and am comfortable with my knowledge of the dates. My recommendation would be to start with knowledge. Go to the VAMWorld homepage and peruse the tutorials there. If you don't understand something, ask us here and we'll help all we can. If you haven't figured out by now, we love talking about 'em.  Edited by SeatedNut
03/25/2010 3:13 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4000 Posts |
I guess I'm 95% collecting. I just want to expand my collection into other areas, but profiting would never hurt. I've always thought the Morgans were beautiful coins and I'd like to own a few. I somehow fought off the impulse to buy and then ask (a first for me!). I thought if I bought a few and researched them then maybe that would expand the interest into the remainder of the VAM world. I'm off to the VAMWorld tutorials! I'll be back! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1659 Posts |
Be careful! VAM's can be very addicting! LOL! My first one was an 1878-CC VAM-11 (Wing Lines), which is a Top 100 variety. It is an interesting variety and it instantly got me hooked. Now every time I acquire another dollar, I always go to VAMworld to see if I can attribute it. The majority of VAM's do not command any substantial premium, but there are a few that are quite valuable. Knowledge is king. Here's a link to VAMworld, it's a very informative site! http://www.vamworld.com/ |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1551 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4000 Posts |
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There is no known cure for Vamming and you can find your self looking at the same coin with a scope for hours LOL - it seems like I do that for any coin! That's why it takes me 2 weeks to get through a box of cents! I'm addicted to any coin that gets in my hand. What about the $20/Morgan? The weekend is coming! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1551 Posts |
If they are 1921 P's and are XF to low AU I would not pay 20.00 for each. Many Morgans that are common you can pick up for 20. to 40. in upper AU to MS If they are 1878 types or 1879 1880 in XF to AU well ......Buy them all
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4000 Posts |
Got it! I'll compile a list before I go, and if in doubt - I'll pass.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
709 Posts |
Where to begin is an interesting and difficult question. When I first started collecting Morgans I went for uncirculated specimens first. I did this for a number of reasons. (1) I like the look of uncirculated. Morgan dollars are beautiful. (2) I went for retained value (3) I find uncirculated Morgans easier to grade and attribute. (4) There are lots and lots of affordable Morgan dollars in uncirculated grades. In the final analysis, the only person you need to please is yourself. It is after-all what you like and enjoy that makes the difference. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4000 Posts |
Sounds like good advice Ozland. I've been putting off VAM's because it seemed so overwhelming. But, so did all the Lincoln varieties and errors. And with time, memorization and repetition kicked in. I don't have them all memorized of course, but I know a lot of them, and more importantly, know when something doesn't look right. I have been checking out the VAMWorld tutorials and will probably do them a few more times. Soon, I'll be posting pics and asking dumb questions over here - can't wait! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
709 Posts |
Vamming is a numismatic forensics. If you going to go in to vamming, there is a lot you need to learn. The VAM attribution 101 guide was written to help someone just getting started understand their way around the Morgan and Peace dollar and to acquaint them with the various terms and definitions. I would suggest a limited focus first to see what you like and want to pursue. Seated Nut, Bryan 1315, Super Dave, Ocsjr and myself will be available to help answer your questions. You will have a lot of them. One of my VAM goals that I went for was an uncirculated set of 1878-P B1 reverse Morgan dollars. I found that a very pleasurable pursuit. Learning B1 reverses will help you get started especially understanding 1878-P Morgan dollars. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
Quote:One of my VAM goals that I went for was an uncirculated set of 1878-P B1 reverse Morgan dollars. I found that a very pleasurable pursuit. A man after my own heart. I have 2 coins getting ready to go get their attribution on their label just as soon as I get this camaro buttoned up that will put my collectors society B1 reverse Morgans back in the #1 slot and hopefully it will be enough to keep it there for awhile. There is a VAM-80 in MS-64DPL (unattributed) on heritage that if I wasn't doing this car right now I would purchase and would definitely put it way above the top set now unless it ends up in his set, then I wouldn't have much of a chance of catching up with them for awhile |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4000 Posts |
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Vamming is a numismatic forensics You said a mouthful! Dear Lord, what have I gotten myself into? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
709 Posts |
Vamming is numismatic forensics. There are no two ways around this: You have a lot to learn. But if you like variety, it will open your eyes to the many and varied differences the Morgan and Peace dollar series have. If you like repunched dates, spectacular die cracks, rim Cuds, clashed letters, counter clashing, misaligned dies and if you possess a curious nature, you will enjoy vamming and it will offer you a life time of collecting enjoyment. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
709 Posts |
If not, then you might think vamming is like comparing pimples on someone's buttocks.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4000 Posts |
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If not, then you might think vamming is like comparing pimples on someone's buttocks. - I'll pass!  Quote:If you like repunched dates, spectacular die cracks, rim Cuds, clashed letters, counter clashing, misaligned dies and if you possess a curious nature, you will enjoy vamming and it will offer you a life time of collecting enjoyment.  I'll take this one. |
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Replies: 23 / Views: 2,876 |
Posted 03/25/2010 3:22 pm
There is no known cure for Vamming and you can find your self looking at the same coin with a scope for hours 
