Numismatic Forensic's

Super Dave, always the scholar and gentleman. PCGS didn't feel the coin was worthy of being in the 328 Morgan dollar super set. (Before someone thinks Ozland is sour grapes over this, I did have another to go in to the set.)

That is PCGS's call. Was it the correct call calling it 'minor variety'? Time will tell. It depends on if anyone finds anymore of these.

There were only a small handful of people that I shared this comparative with prior to it being released on Coin Community Forum. Of those small handful, one noted with irony that the 1887-O VAM 22A EDS could be like the 1889-O VAM 20B. Everybody chases after the 1889-O VAM 20A clashed E, and hardly anyone chases after the 1889-O VAM 20B, yet the 1889-O VAM 20B is more rare.
When I said this was the absurdity of the hobby, this was what I was thinking when I wrote that line. The hobby is filled with many other absurdities like this. The 1897-O VAM 6A comes to mind.

I wanted to give everyone a glimpse of what 'real' vamming is all about.

And nicely done for that, Ozland. I quite agree that the term "absurd" applies to this hobby, but not always in a pejorative sense. Value is a function of both rarity and demand, and not all VAM collectors seek a complete set. Many just want the "big" ones, as designated by those whose (relatively) greater knowledge "authorizes" them to make those decisions on behalf of the hobby as a whole.

I don't accuse people like Fey, Oxman or Kimpton of having anything other than altruistic intent. Many of their choices deserve to remain "important" into perpetuity. What they've unwittingly done, though, is barred some pretty rare coins from being in great demand. Not everyone's concept of due diligence involves research at this depth.

And the two TPG's who limit their attributions only exacerbate the problem. What right do they have to decide what is "popular?"

What people need to realize is that Morgan variety collecting is not like Busties or early copper or LM Half Dimes; it's so big that the average collector will only want to concentrate on a subset. A "Top 100" is one way of addressing this problem, but at a cost.

A different approach towards publicizing Morgan Varieties is indicated, so that rarity plays a greater role.

While it would have taken me two or three pages of stammering redundancy to get that thought across, you have skillfully done so in one sentence, (which sincerely impresses me).

BEER?!?!... Wine would certainly be an improvement (or at least a refinement)....I am going caroling tonight and tomorrow night....My fellow carolers are worried that I will show up inebriated (but I am determined not to let them down, I will live up to their expectations..)...after all, it is Christmas time....MERRY CHRISTMAS GENE..

Vamming can be looked at two different ways. To some it is like comparing pimples on some one's buttocks. To others, it is cutting edge numismatics. Happy New Year to everyone. May your dreams come true in 2011.

I am new here. But Happy New Year to all. May the VAM Gods bless us all with knowledge and insight in this new period of 365 days, and beyond.

Happy New year Gene.... That statement proves to me that you really are my soul brother.... while questions are sometimes indiscreet, they are never wrong (except on "Jeopardy!")..... Learning (obviously) is often wrong.... depending on what you are learning.

There have been many folks throughout time who were revered as experts, Valens, Ptolemy, Hipparchus were the Astronomical experts of their day, having studied the heavens their entire lives (not just 25 or 30 years like some numismatic experts)..... keep in mind though, that these 'experts' believed that the earth was flat and sat at the center of the universe on the back of a giant tortoise.

I used to ask a lot of questions too, until I discovered that many of the answers were nonsense..... Even more important than asking questions is deciding who to ask those questions of.... wrong answers are not only worthless, they are detrimental to your developmental growth.... choose wisely in this New Year buddy.