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 Replies: 23 / Views: 3,244 |
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New Member
United States
36 Posts |
I just acquired an attractive 1898-O Morgan that is felt to be a VAM 7. However, I can't find any photos of this variety and am hoping someone here can help verify this attribution, as I'm a nob to vamming. The coin appears to have a 'near date' with the mm 'high' and I can't see any evidence of clashing on either the obv or rev. Attached are close-ups of the date and mm. Thanks, Wayne   |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
There are enough pictures in the description of VAM-7A (at VAMworld) to probably prove your attribution. I think I see the characteristic lines in the tailfeathers on your coin. Have a look.
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Pillar of the Community
3660 Posts |
There should be an expert around here any time now sfchenist, but until then, let me entertain you with my total ignorance of what I remember of date and mm spacings:
I would call it a normal date (they seem like they could go either one way or the other in some circumstances like this).
I would also call the mm normal, neither high or low nor left or right.
Well.....I guess that that just proved my point 'eh?!!
Edited by zeewool
06/26/2010 10:13 pm
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New Member
 United States
36 Posts |
Thanks Dave and zee.... One of my problems I'm having is whether or not my mm is indeed considered high or normal? The mm on the 7A photos in vamworld look similar to mine which is why I thought this 1898-O might be a VAM 7. However, when looking at other photos of 'high' mm on vamworld then my 1898-O mm seems normal? Sorry for the confusion in my terminology, still learning this stuff. |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
It's easy to see your coin has a high mint mark - a "normal" placement leaves roughly even spacing above and below it. To be normal, the mint mark should be touching the horizontal black line in your pic above.
At 2.0 denticles, it's a Near Date by pretty much any standard. 2.5 denticles is questionable, and at 3 denticles people start thinking "Far Date."
Worry more about the things which are characteristic to VAM-7, because descriptions differ and images aren't always shot straight on. Look for the 3 lines in the tailfeathers and the chips on the top serif of the I in PLURIBUS.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1551 Posts |
It is a near date and the mm looks normal as far as how high it is.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I can't for the life of me understand why you guys are calling this mint mark placement "normal."
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1551 Posts |
Dave I am looking at the angle of the photo. It looks like it has been taken on an up-ward angle not stright up and down 90 degree's
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New Member
United States
36 Posts |
Here is another photo I just took of the mm....did my best to have the camera lens directly over and parallel to the coin. Appreciate the help guys, Wayne  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
after reviewing the attribution guide for mintmark placement, I have to conclude this is a high mint mark, top of the O mintmark is even with the bottom of the bow. As shown in the attribution guide.. However there are still VAM listings where it is edited incorrectly......another VAM listing may say its normal... the date is a near date....G |
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Pillar of the Community
3660 Posts |
Thanks for your understanding Gene. I couldn't possibly attempt to argue attribution with anyone on vams, but from what I recall (of what I had set in stone in my mind) about these positioning things, this coin is borderline high/normal mm.(Also tilted right, from what I gather from the photo). As far as the date thing goes, after a second look, I flipflop to near date.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
Hi Zeewool, I always like to hear your opinions, they are very perceptive!.. I think Dave is spot on with the VAM 7, you can see the marks in the tail feathers as shown an VAM 7a photo's (same die) also, you will notice that on the vam7 page there are gouges in the mintmark, and your coin has them as well....... |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
OOOPPPPS' the marks are within the BOW not the mintmark
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Pillar of the Community
3660 Posts |
Hummph...I don't go to the site, but I never did have any doubts about the attributions of you guys. I just have my own ideas about what is high and low based upon what I have seen in the past and what folks called them. For instance, compare the coins pictured below: First the "Low O"  Now the "High O"  Finally the infamous "Horizontal O"  Yoooz guyz are sooo krazy. |
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Pillar of the Community
3660 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
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Replies: 23 / Views: 3,244 |
Posted 06/26/2010 10:11 pm
