Hi folks, Last July, I took a day of vacation and visited an antique show. I bought this Peace dollar at one of the booths for $40, and realized that I had a VAM of some sort almost immediately. It looks like a 1922 VAM-1F "Field Break" to me...and if so, then I guess it was a heck of a find. I'm considering sending it in for TPG, but would appreciate your expert opinions before doing so. (My motivation is part curiosity, part concern for preserving the coin and part determination of value.) I'm still new to this. I think it's a BU coin, but I have concerns about the water spots and the scratches on the reverse in "Pluribus". Would this be a worthwhile endeavor in your opinions? Many thanks in advance! ...also, I apologize if the photos aren't the greatest. Still trying to figure out the lighting in my studio.
I eecommend you send it to ANACS as they are the best when it comes to VAM's. I was fortunate as well with mine, I stumbled across a 1922 12-A Vam for $19 that I havent submitted yet.
Those reverse marks do look funny. Could they be counting wheel damage? If so, it might not grade cleanly.
I'll see if I can get a better picture this evening. From this photo, it kinda looks like a radial cut, but I didn't recall it being that noticeable in hand. They seemed more like a couple of marks another coin might make.
Since the 1F is a Hot 50 VAM, you can submit it to PCGS, NGC or ANACS for attribution. ANACS is recognized because they will attribute all VAM's, but ANACS will not always bring the highest prices on resale. PCGS will usually bring the highest prices. Nice find! Chris
An MS62, graded by PCGS, sold for $2070 in 2009, through Heritage. It does look like 1F. http://www.vamworld.com/1922-P+VAM-1F
Ok, as promised, here are what I hope are a couple better pictures, one showing the obverse under more even lighting, one showing the die break in the field, and another showing the marks in "Pluribus". I just examined the coin with my loupe, and it would appear that the line through the upper part of P and L in "Pluribus" is a die crack consistent with an image out on VAMWorld, and not a scratch. The marks in the "U" look like reed marks from the edge of another coin to me, but I'll take other opinions.
Yep, I agree. Definitely a reed mark based on the closeup. The die scratch was misleading in the other pic. I say send it in! I think it's at least nicer than a 62. Edit: Nicely struck as well.
Those sure don't look like reed marks to me, and I've seen thousands of them on Morgan & Peace dollars over the last 50+ years. Chris
Hmmm...well, I guess we can categorize them as unidentified. Maybe they're bag marks...just kind of weird to see three so close together like that. I had thought maybe they were from the edge of another coin striking it, but I'm still getting a daily education. As long as they don't look like counting machine damage or wear, I will consider it to be ok. Thanks for the expert opinions!
