Old-style (but not fat) NGC holder...,, Guess the grade(!)

Evidently not, according to post #16

This website has all the info on VAMs you could ever possibly need - http://www.vamworld.com

Some of the rarest and most dramatic VAM varieties aren't listed in the Redbook. They do this to keep it easy to understand and more of a learning tool for the "amateur collector" (for lack of a better term).

 

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Most people agree that grading standards changed between 2004 and 2006....so it's slabbed exactly when that happened. The Edge-views came along much later -- and, most people actually agree that most of the recent grading (e.g., the last 1-2 years) by NGC has tightened up quite a bit. And, even with those things being said, the type of holder basically tells you nothing about the quality of the coin housed within it, unless you want to apply vast generalizations like a certain moderator on this board does on a regular basis.

 

I would guess 64

 

Great link. Granted it's only an MS64, but the price realized is somewhat soft compared to what everyone on eBay seems to think these are worth.

http://www.teletrade.com/coins/lot.asp?auction=2943&lot=2130#n

 

Oh wow, Lewis Carroll warned me about this!

 

According to the NGC census, the coin is tied for finest known with 6 others if it's a VAM-2 and tied with a single other coin for finest if it's VAM-2A. They have graded a total of 53 of the 2 and only a single example of the 2A which is in MS65. Looking at the VAM-World website, I don't think mine has the die break, though it does appear to have a bag mark right about the same spot on the wing making it a little problematic to say for sure.

 

When it comes to VAM collectors, they're willing to pay much more for a "gem" (65 or higher) than a "choice" (64 or lower) example of such a scarce VAM.

"Gem" is an investment grade. "Choice" is a collector grade. And although some of the biggest VAMpires in the industry are both collectors and investors of numismatica, the ones shelling out $50k+ for the Top Pop VAMs all purchase with the intention of making a return in 10+ years. Perhaps a bold statement, but I stand by it.

So, comparing the MS64 on TT to your MS65 would be like comparing the shell of a Mustang GT to a full restored Mustang GT, for lack of a better analogy.

 

Yeah, yours is tied for finest, unless someone holds a 66 that's undocumented, which honestly wouldn't surprise me.

And no, yours isn't the LDS (w/ die break). I examined your images closely and checked for other diagnostics of the LDS.

And if you're reading the census on VAMWorld for population estimates, don't - those numbers are usually inaccurate. Just one of the site's few superficial flaws. For more accurate pops, just visit the grading houses' websites and search for your variety. Those numbers are about the most accurate you'll find (at least when it comes to cert'd examples)

 

Well, finally got around to sending it in for variety designation. And I have tossed it up on eBay no-reserve if anyone is interested at having a go at it. Thanks again for the heads-up on the DDO.

 

I agree, NCG seems to grade higher then PCGS. I say 66

 

ooops, contest is over

 

Well yes and no. What really needs to happen is for this coin to get cracked out and resubmitted raw. When I sent it in, just asked for the designation to be added. I think it's a 66 too.