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 Replies: 29 / Views: 4,066 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5615 Posts |
I have been collecting for many years and a few years ago, I became addicted to doing research on the Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars. I have spent, like others, many, many hours bent over a stereo-microscope, looking for that "NEXT" great find, Die break, Die crack, Clashed Dies, Spikes, Letter transfers, Huge Die Gouges, Doubled Dies, Cuds etc. I have been sending some of my finds to one of the Fathers of the VAM Collecting World, Mr LeRoy Van Allen, which actually I am amazed the man finds the time to attribute these coins, and for what I would call a very reasonable fee, I sense that Leroy is very pleased to assist others and perform this service to help others with the passion He has en stilled in people like myself, and others to come. I know the fact that we can do this is simply a wonderful thing, sending coins to a person who's passion is such that it has opened the doors to a whole new arena of research and knowledge, I am grateful He is there and does this while He can. I wanted to know from other members if you have sent coins to LVA, and how you made out with His finds, How often you do so, and any new finds on your behalf and research. or should I say "your" finds?  Happy Hunting!! |
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Valued Member
United States
380 Posts |
I have some discoveries... My best is the 1925-s VAM-3A... A TOP50 discovery. I have also killed one of my own discoveries (it really wasnt mine, it should have been a revision, not a discovery) So sometimes, LVA gets it wrong, but he is human and that will happen. The VAST majority of the time he hits the nail on the head. I too agree that we are lucky to have him around. One of these days we will not get a letter signed by him back with our submissions. I am not looking forward to that day what-so-ever.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1551 Posts |
Well I agree with both of you, we are lucky to have Leroy out there. After asking many stupid questions back in Dec. of last year. I had a chance to go over to his home and meet him and his wife. I learned more in 5 hours than in the month prior. He is a walking talking text book. I also was informed by his wife that we both shared the same high school, just not the same year she was 2 years after my father.
As far as sending coins into Leroy I have now sent in 3 batches 1 is currently with him now. I have 4 discovery coins and 8 revisions. And if what I sent in comes out the way I think there should be 3 more new Vams and 5 new revisions. I also have found 2 others since sending Leroy the last package that I think are new or a differant die state, 1 is an 1883 O and the other is a 1880 S. I will post picks later if anyone whats to see them.
Edited by twohawks
09/23/2010 4:30 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
709 Posts |
I have sent ten submissions to Leroy Van Allen.
I have done this to see what vams some of these coins are. I have sent several to confirm attributions.
I have some discoveries, one that has been listed, killed off and then re listed as something else, many revisions and because I have sent off coins that were not mine, I have been credited with discoveries or revisions on them which I do not claim. However if you send them, even if you say up front that they belong to someone else, it does not matter, you will be the one receiving credit for them.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1551 Posts |
I sent one in for John K and told Leroy that it was his and that he had found it and he got credit of it or so I was told.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5615 Posts |
I knew some people here had some discoveries, but not to this degree. TwoHawks, I am Jealous, you actually met this legend, this co-founder of the passion we as a group, find ourselves screaming out for more knowledge, and you went to his home, and spent more than 4-5 hours with him "The Walking Knowledgeable VAM Man"! Remmy, I have been following VAMS for a long time and knew you had/have a few with your name on them, I think that is also great, I am in awe over the knowledge you and the others have acquired, I know it did not happen over-night, and I am looking forward to absorbing as much as I can to achieve the knowledge and experience needed to keep your head above water, in this part of the hobby!! I was up last night searching some Peace dollars and found 1 that I have not seen nor heard of before, so as I was making out the envelope to LVA, I thought I would start this topic, I will again state how fortunate we all are to have an address that leads to one of the co-founders of the passion we all have, he is actually there, now, and anyone who does research into Peace/Morgan Silver Dollars knows, this is a blessing to have as an option for us all!PS, Does anyone here have or seen a 1923-S Peace dollar with 2 - thin spikes at the shoulder and a very thick clash or gouge,( I think it is a clash), from about the bottom of the spikes down to the 1st long ray (which goes through the second "L" in dollar). Total length of clash about 1/8 of an inch long!! I will post the pictures I took before placing in the envelope. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1551 Posts |
Sorry I VAM Peace dollars as well as I hit the toilet in the dark  As far as Leroy go's If he put out a 1 1/2 hour video of the what's and whys as well as what is considered important and why. The learning curve would be greatly improved. Leroy and his wife are a great couple, and I was and am honored to have the opportunity to visit them. "It helps that they are only 100 or so miles south of me" Edited by twohawks
09/23/2010 7:19 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5615 Posts |
Maybe you could make a video of what you learned that day!!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1551 Posts |
 Or I could just ask him and see what he will say !  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5615 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5615 Posts |
I know the colors are off,on this 1923-S Peace dollar but the area above the shoulder actually after more inspection, it looks like a clashed spike from Theresa's crown.  .....Comments!!   |
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Valued Member
United States
380 Posts |
There are clashes and PMD in that pic. The "gouge" you see could be strike through, but I doubt it... I am fairly confident it is PMD. (need a better pic) I would start the search for the shoulder clash as long as there are at least 2 vertical spikes on the shoulder. If there is one it is not listable. VAM-1M, 1R, 1x etc... there are a bunch of double or more clashes for the 1923-S coins. If you cant find a match post a better pic of the clashes on the shoulder and we will go from there. Edited by remmy1100
09/24/2010 10:44 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5615 Posts |
Remmy, I will check the "only" pictures I have to post a better one, if possible . I sent the coin to LVA,. I know it is hard to see, but there are 2 very close together, maybe 3 spikes (under the 10x stereo microscope) up from the shoulder of the eagle, what do you feel is PMD, I am looking at the pictures and honestly feel it is a clashed ray from her tiara or crown.....Thanks, Mike... |
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Valued Member
United States
380 Posts |
The vertical spikes are clashes from the back of liberty's neck. The other mark which looks black in the photo is PMD. It is impossible for either to be from the tiara. Look at the clashed dies page http://www.vamworld.com/clashed+diesThat should help you understand clash locations on a Peace dollar. (its at the very bottom of the page) |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5615 Posts |
Remmy, I know exactly what you mean, I have searched the overlays to come up with the conclusion that I am stumped, I will try to put up some other pictures, In hand the "black " mark is a silver looking sliver of what I would only call a ray, maybe not the right nomenclature, from the Obverse, it does not line up to be so, but in hand it sure does look that way......PS, Thanks for the clash site, nice reference...
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Valued Member
United States
380 Posts |
Yeah. It looks like pushed metal which is PMD. No gouge or anything. We have all been fooled by that gargoyle more than once. (especially when pickin from pictures) If you already sent it to Leroy, I hope it comes back a discovery, but if you were banking on that mark for a discovery, I do not think it will make it. Good luck! :) |
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Replies: 29 / Views: 4,066 |
Posted 09/23/2010 4:29 pm
