The idea behind putting a top 100 list together was very insightful particularly if you are a variety collector. The top 100 list incorporates 'gateway' coins, by that these are readily identifiable and are found in abundance as well as hard to find coins.
For reference here are the top 100
Morgan dollar varieties.
The "Top 100"
Morgan dollar Varieties
(VAM: the designation given to Morgan and
Peace dollar varieties listed by Leroy Van Allen and George Mallis)
Date Variety
VAM # Notes, Explanations & Descriptions
1. 1878-P 8-TF
VAM 5 This variety shows spectacular doubling on the lettering at the top of the obverse, particularly "R-I-B" in PLURIBUS.
2. 1878-P 8-TF
VAM 9 "First
Morgan dollar". Historically important as the first die variety struck on March 11,1878, the
VAM 9 is Ultra-Rare in BU.
3. 1878-P 8-TF
VAM 14.11 (Replaces 11)
VAM 14-11 replaces the 8TF
VAM 11 in the "Top 100." Why? Although listed in the
VAM Book, the
VAM 11 may not exist.
4. 1878-P 8-TF
VAM 15 "Doubled Liberty" variety. Sharing the same concave reverse with
VAM 10, the
VAM 15 is a premium variety in all grades.
5. 1878-P 8-TF
VAM 23 "Doubled Lips"variety. The dramatic doubling of Liberty's profile (nose, lips, & chin) makes the
VAM 23 quite popular.
6. 1878-P 7/8-TF
VAM 32 "7/3 TF Variety". As the 2nd rarest 7/8TF variety, the
VAM 32 is not only rare & desirable, but it's a heavy premium coin.
7. 1878-P 7/8-TF
VAM 41 "7/7 TF Variety".
VAM 41 has the most complete set of extra TFs of any 7/8-TF, and is therefore popular as a 7/8-TF example.
8. 1878-P 7/8-TF
VAM 44 "7/5 TF Variety". Tripled Obverse. Known as the "King of VAMs," the
VAM 44 is Ultra-Rare in BU. Sought after in any grade.
9. 1878-P 7/8-TF
VAM 45 "7/0 TF Variety". Not a spectacular variety, but the third rarest 7/8-TF. Eagle's legs are doubled to left. Found on many Hit Lists.
10. 1878-P 7-TF
VAM 70 "Doubled R-I-B" variety. Similar to 8TF
VAM 5 obverse, the
VAM 70 enjoys the highest premium for any 7-TF B1 Reverse.
11. 1878-P 7-TF
VAM 100 "Type I Obverse". What's unusual here is that this obverse is normally found only with 8-TF Reverses! Usually available.
12. 1878-P 7-TF 115, 199.1 "Tripled Leaves & Cotton Bolls". Newly discovered
VAM 199-1 has same obverse as
VAM 115 is now part of the Top 100.
13. 1878-P 7-TF 117, 141 "Tripled Star". Strong tripling on the second star to the right of the date makes these easy to identify.
VAM 117 is scarcer.
14. 1878-P 7-TF
VAM 171 "B" Reverse. The "Tripled R" in PLURIBUS is dramatic. Same Obverse as
VAM 220 which has Rev. of '79. Big premiums.
15. 1878-P 7-TF
VAM 203 "C" Reverse. "Short Leaf" at front of Liberty's head-dress. In years past these were considered the top Rev. of '79 variety.
16. 1878-P 7-TF
VAM 220 "C" Reverse. "Tripled R" in PLURIBUS. The
VAM 220 is now the top Rev. of '79 variety. Less than 10 BUs known.
17. 1878-P 7-TF
VAM 223 "C" Reverse. "Over-polished 'L' in LIBERTY on head-band. The second rarest Rev. of '79 variety. Infrequently encountered.
18. 1878-S B1 Rev Various VAMs 26, 27, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 62. "Long Nock" varieties. There are less than 5 BUs known for ALL the varieties, together.
19. 1878-CC
DDO VAM 6, 18 "Doubled Leaves". Both have the same nicely doubled Obverses, but different Reverses. The
VAM 18 is scarcer.
20. 1878-CC Pol. Lines
VAM 11 "Lines in Eagle's Wing". Heavy die polishing lines at the base of the right wing are the key diagnostic here. Readily obtainable.
21. 1878-CC
DDO VAM 24 "Doubled Leaves". Similar doubling to VAMs 6 & 18, but Liberty's ear is not doubled, nor is the date. Rare in BU.
22. 1879-O RPM
VAM 4, 28 "O/Horizontal O" Mintmark.
VAM 28 is a new discovery, which has a different Obverse with this same Reverse.
23. 1879-S Rev.'78 Various Includes VAMs 4, 5 ,6, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 10, 23, 24, 25, 34, 35, 39, 42, 43, 44, 46. The number of B Reverse 79-S varieties keeps growing!
24. 1879-CC Cap. Die
VAM 3 "Medium/Small Mint Mark". The Die Chips around the mint mark represent what's left of the underlying "CC" mint mark. Popular.
25. 1880-P DBO
VAM 1A "Knobbed 8" variety. A major Die Break runs from the rim up through the first "8" into the field. Several Die Stages known.
26. 1880-P Over date
VAM 6 "8/7 Spikes". Clear over date with spikes above, and a crossbar inside, the 2nd "8" of the date. Available in AU, but rare in BU.
27. 1880-P Over date
VAM 7 "8/7 Crossbar". Clear over date with well defined crossbar at the top inside of the second "8". Rare in AU & unknown in BU.
28. 1880-P Over date
VAM 8 "8/7 Ears". Small "bumps" on the top left & right of the second "8"in the date. Difficult to attribute. Only 1 BU known.
29. 1880-P Over date
VAM 9 "8/7 Stem". Faint diagonal marks inside both loops of the second "8. Doubled Die Reverse is unmentioned in
VAM Book.
30. 1880-P Over date
VAM 23 "80/79". Remains of underlying "7" sit on the surface of the "0" in the date. Rare in all grades and unconfirmed in BU.
31. 1880-CC Over date
VAM 4 "80/79". Clear over date markings in "8" & "0". Flat Breast "B" Reverse. Available from GSA Hoard. Often encountered.
32. 1880-CC Over date
VAM 5, 6 "8/7 High" and "8/7 Low" varieties. Both have the normal Round-breast Reverse, but both are dramatic over dates. Available.
33. 1880-O DBR
VAM 48 (Formerly 1A) "Hangnail" variety. Formerly
VAM 1A. Die Gouge in TFs resulted in whimsical name.
VAM # changed to reflect doubled die rev.
34. 1880-O Over date
VAM 4, 5 "Crossbar" varieties. Both have similar variety feature.
VAM 4 has Micro O &
VAM 5 has Oval O mint mark.
VAM 5 is scarcer.
35. 1880-O Over date
VAM 6, 6A "8/7 Ear" varieties. Curved mark at top outside left of "8". Both have different Reverses.
VAM 6A is much more common.
36. 1880-O Over date
VAM 49 (Formerly 6B) "8/7 Ear" variety with "Hangnail" reverse. Formerly
VAM 6B. This combination of Obverse & Reverse is Ultra-rare in Mint State.
37. 1880-O Over date
VAM 43 "Doubled Ear". Liberty's ear is strongly doubled at back and along bottom edge. One of the most popular "Doubled Ear" varieties.
38. 1880-S Over date
VAM 8, 9 "8/7 Diagonal". Same Obverse on both over date varieties, but
VAM 8 has a Medium "S" mint mark and
VAM 9 has a Large "S".
39. 1880-S Over date
VAM 10 "8/7 Crossbar". Markings in the top loop of the second "8"in the date are interpreted as over date remains. The key 80-S
VAM.
40. 1882-O "O/S"
VAM 3 "O/S Flush". Like all "O/S" varieties, these are scarce in BU condition & rare in MS63 or above. Look for rare EDS specimens.
41. 1882-O "O/S"
VAM 4 "O/S Recessed". The
VAM 4 is the most common 0/S, but its EDS is the the rarest, with less than 5 or 6 specimens known.
42. 1882-O "O/S"
VAM 5 "O/S Broken". The Diagonal inside the "O" is incomplete. The least dramatic O/S
VAM. Several PL EDS specimens exist.
43. 1882-O "O/O"
VAM 7 Strongest "O/O" repunched mint mark in the
Morgan dollar series. Not rare, but the O/O is worth acquiring a specimen.
44. 1883-P SDO
VAM 10 "Sextupled Stars".
VAM 10 is one of the most popular non-1878 Top 100 varieties, and it carries a huge premium in all grades.
45. 1883-O "O/O"
VAM 4 Another strong RPM, which is quite similar to the 1882-O
VAM 7. Probably the second strongest O/O
Morgan dollar.
46. 1884-P "Dot"
VAM 3,4
VAM 3 is the "Large Dot" variety.
VAM 4 is "Small Dot" variety. The "Small Dot" variety is the rarer of the two.
47. 1884-O RPM
VAM 6 "O/O". Underlying remains at bottom left outside of mint mark. This variety comes in high grades, often with proof-like surfaces.
48. 1885-S RPM
VAM 6, 9 "S/S". Original "S" seen as extra serif at bottom of "S" mint mark. The
VAM 9 is a new discovery with the same reverse.
49. 1886-P DGO V. 1A, 21
VAM 1A is "Line in 6" variety.
VAM 21 (Formerly
VAM 1B) is "Line through M" variety, caused by a misplaced "8".
50. 1886-P
DDR VAM 17 "Doubled Arrows". Bottom Edges of Arrow shafts are doubled. Interesting variety that comes in very high grades.
51. 1886-O E on Rev
VAM 1A Strong Clashed "E" on Reverse. Specimens show evidence of either 1, 2 or 7 clashes on the Reverse. Exceedingly rare in BU.
52. 1886-S RPM
VAM 2 "S/S". Remains of an underlying "S" are visible on both top & bottom serifs. Not a variety that many get excited about.
53. 1887-P DBR
VAM 1A "Donkey Tail." A unique Die Break at the bottom right of the "D" in DOLLAR warrants the name. Extremely popular.
54. 1887-P Over date
VAM 2 "7/6". Visible mainly as curved line through bottom stem of the "7." These are "Grey sheet/Blue sheet" listed varieties now.
55. 1887-P RPD
VAM 5 "1887/1887". The doubling is most prominent on the last "87." A great repunched date, but many have come onto the market.
56. 1887-P
DDO VAM 12 "Alligator Eye". Doubled vertical line at front of Liberty's eye. A great name for what's probably the most common Top 100.
57. 1887-O RPD
VAM 2 Doubled "1", Tripled "7" in date. There is a dramatic shift in the numerals of the date that appeals to variety collectors.
58. 1887-O Over date
VAM 3 "7/6". Faint remains of an underlying "6" at the base of the "7." Not at all dramatic, but much rarer than its 87-P counterpart.
59. 1887-O
DDO VAM 5 "Doubled Stars". The stars to the left & the right of the date are doubled. One of the "sleepers" of the Top 100. Rare above MS63.
60. 1887-O Pit. Die
VAM 22A (Formerly 22) Formerly
VAM 22. Late Die State with Pitted Reverse and Doubled Die Obverse. A major rarity in Mint State condition.
61. 1887-S RPM
VAM 2 "S/S". Clear remains of original "S" visible inside top loop. A popular S-Mint RPM, that's commonly encountered.
62. 1888-P
DDO VAM 11 "Doubled Ear". Strong doubling at back and left inside of ear. Very similar to
VAM 23 new discovery.
63. 1888-O E on Rev
VAM 1A Clashed "E" on Reverse. Usually found with obverse die break, but several specimens have been found without. Desirable.
64. 1888-O DBO
VAM 1B "Scar Face". So noted for its spectacular Die Break that runs from the rim down across Liberty's cheek. Heavy premiums.
65. 1888-O
DDO VAM 4 "Hot Lips". Strongest doubling on Liberty's nose, lips and chin of any
Morgan dollar variety. The #1
DDO in series.
66. 1888-O
DDR VAM 9 "Doubled Wreath". Features on lower Reverse show strong doubling. Not as rare as previously thought, but still popular.
67. 1888-O Oval O Various "Oval O" Mint Mark varieties include VAMs 2, 5, 6, 17, 18, 21, 24. All six of these varieties are scarce in circ. & ultra-rare in BU.
68. 1889-P DBR
VAM 19A,22 (Formerly 5A) Formerly
VAM 5A. "Bar Wing" variety. The
VAM 22 has a "far date" while the
VAM 19A has a "normal date." Same reverse.
69. 1889-O E on Rev
VAM 1A Clashed "E" Reverse. Can be found with either 1 or 2 clashes. A "Top 10" variety! Rare in all grades. One BU known.
70. 1889-O Oval O Various VAMs 2 & 17.
VAM 2 has chip on right side of 1st "8" in date. Both are major rarities in BU with 2 or 3 known.
71. 1889-O RPD
VAM 6 "Doubled 18-9". Bottoms of first two digits are strongly doubled. Repunched dates don't command the attention of other varieties.
72. 1890-CC DGR
VAM 4 "Tail Bar". Spectacular Die Gouge connects the eagle's left TFs with the wreath below. Extremely popular.
73. 1891-P
DDO VAM 2, 2A "Doubled Ear".VAM 2 is relatively common, whereas
VAM 2A, the Late Die State "Moustache variety," is ultra-rare.
74. 1891-CC DGR
VAM 3 "Spitting Eagle". Whimsically named Die Gouge in front of eagle's mouth. Over 60% of all 91-CC are the
VAM 3. No premium.
75. 1891-O E on Rev
VAM 1A Complete Clashed "E"on Reverse. The best example of an "E" clash in the
Morgan dollar series. Always in demand.
76. 1891-S
DDO VAM 3 "Doubled Stars". Stars to the left of the date are doubled at bottom edges. Hasn't caught on with collectors, yet.
77. 1892-O
DDO VAM 7 "Doubled Ear". Back edge & inside left of Liberty's ear is doubled. Usually found with weak strikes. Scarce in BU.
78. 1892-S RPD
VAM 2 "Doubled Date". All the numerals of the date are doubled. The 92-S is such a rare date, the variety adds little premium.
79. 1893-P
DDO VAM 4 "Doubled Stars". Bottom edges of stars to the left and right of date are doubled. Usually found in XF or AU. Scarce in BU.
80. 1895-S RPM
VAM 4 "S/Horizontal S". Underlying "S" punched sideways into die. Unique in the
Morgan dollar series. Often found PL.
81. 1896-P
DDO VAM 4 "Doubled Stars". The stars to the left and right of date are clearly doubled. Should be more demand for this variety than there is.
82. 1896-P MPD
VAM 19 So-called Misplaced Date with the top of an '8' visible in the denticles. This was the first Misplaced Date listed in the Top 100.
83. 1896-O Micro O
VAM 4 "Micro O" mint mark. There is only one 96-O die known with Micro O. Highly sought after in all grades. Unknown in BU.
84. 1897-P Pit. Die V. 1A/6A "Pitted Reverse". All the specimens seen are
VAM 6A w/ Near Date. There is conjecture that
VAM 1A doesn't exist.
85. 1899-O Micro O
VAM 4, 6,31,32 "Micro O" mint mark. VAMs 4, 31 & 32 have Normal Date positions;
VAM 6 Date is set to left. Scarce and desirable.
86. 1899-O Micro O
VAM 5 "Micro O" mint mark. Variety with Lines in Eagle's Wing. Ultra-rare in BU.
VAM 5 is considered the "Queen" of the Micro O's.
87. 1899-S RPD
VAM 7 "Doubled Date". Both "9's" show strong doubling above the numerals and to the right. A better date, but not a rare variety.
88. 1900-P
DDR V. 11, 24 There are two different obverses known with the same "Doubled Eagle" Reverse. The
VAM 24 has quintupled obverse stars.
89. 1900-O Micro O
VAM 5 "Micro O" mint mark. A major variety that's rare in all grades. No BUs have ever been found. Worth a substantial premium.
90. 1900-O "O/CC"
VAM 9 "O/CC" mint mark. The key "O/CC"
VAM which warrants a large premium whenever found. Only a few BU's known.
91. 1900-O "O/CC" Various "O/CC" mint mark. This variety-type listing includes VAMs 7, 7A, 8, 8A, 10, 11, 12. Also popular with non-variety collectors.
92. 1900-O
DDO VAM 15 "Doubled Stars". The shift on the stars to the right of the date is quite dramatic. But the
VAM 15 is too often encountered to be rare.
93. 1900-O DBO
VAM 29A "Die Break through Date". There is a heavy Die Break up from rim through the "19" of the date. Often confused with
VAM 35.
94. 1901-P
DDR VAM 3 "Shifted Eagle". Considered the top Doubled Die Reverse in the
Morgan dollar series. Unbelievably spectacular. Buy these up!
95. 1902-P
DDO VAM 4 "Doubled Ear". The back of Liberty's ear and the hair above are doubled. Surprisingly rare in all grades. Premiums should increase.
96. 1902-O Micro O
VAM 3 "Micro O" mint mark. Usually found only in very low grades. Unknown in BU. Put these away for the new millenium!
97. 1903-S Small S
VAM 2 "Small S" mint mark. The only example of this mint mark on a
Morgan dollar, it was punched into the die accidentally. No BUs known.
98. 1921-P Pit. Die
VAM 1A "Pitted Reverse". Tremendous pitting above & around the left wreath on the Reverse. Rare only in MS65 or above.
99. 1921-P Reeding V.2, 2A 4, 13 "Wide Reeding". The coin's edge has 157 reeds rather than normal 177-194. This collar was used only in 1921.
100 1921-D "Tru-t"
VAM 1A "Filled Die" variety. The "s" in "Trust" appears to be missing on the reverse, leaving "Tru-t". Only 1 or 2 known in MS64.
If you are asking why did these make the list as opposed to others? That question should be directed at the two authors of: The Top 100
Morgan dollar varieties: The
VAM keys by Jeff Oxman and Michael Fey PhD.
Should others have been included instead? I suspect those that didn't make the list went into the Hot 50 and Hit list 40 lists.
The authors have been committed to expanding the knowledge base of vams and awaking the general collecting public to the beauty and wonder of the many unique
VAM varieties.
Posted 02/15/2011 5:34 pm
