VAM? is it worth it?

I recently was advised to check this coin for a VAM...I am looking right now, but no luck...let's just say I did find one...would it go up in prie that much to be worth my time?







only place that looks like anything good:





stainless

 

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Anthony, it is extremely hard to spot VAMs' with blurry photos. The 3 you should be looking for are,
1886-P "Doubled arrows" VAM 17
1886-P "Line: In 6" VAM 1A
1886-P "Line: through M" VAM 1B
Im sorry I can't be more help. with pictures. But the doubled arrows is an obvious one, you will see the doubling on the butt end of the arrows on the under side of the arrows

 

Depends on the Vam , yours could be anything from die chips in the 6 , closed 6 , doubled 18 and the list goes on , I don't collect VAMS so I don't know the premiums they bring , wait to hear from a VAM collector , stainless what book are you using to find the VAMS ?
rzage

 

All I am using is this:

http://www.vamworld.com/1886-P+VAMs


stainless

 

I guess that could work but it must be awfully hard , one good book is "The Comprehensive Catalogue ans Encyclopedia of U.S. Morgan and Peace Dollars " by Van Allen and Mallis .
rzage

 

snaz , my list of Vams for 1886-P only numbers 13 :headbang:, it's a 2nd edition , guess it's time for a new copy . What book are you using , if any .
rzage:thumb:

 

Will check it out...but all the suspect marks on my coin don't appear to be apart of any VAM

If it is anything, it is closest to a VAM 3. But I don't think it is.


stainless

 

Stainless,

On the vamworld website on the left hand side there are the lists: Top 100, Hot 50, and Hit 40. I have found that if a VAM is not listed there, there is little or no extra value. Also if you go to sell it, it is much easier if it is slabbed as a VAM.

I use the book also, but about 1/4 I have to go to VAMworld for updated info.

Jim

 

I use the top 100 Morgan Dollar Varietys: The VAM keys By Michael S. Fey, Ph.D and Jeff Oxman.
Its a litle spiral bound feild guide type deal.
http://www.amazon.com/Top-100-Morgan-Dollar-Varieties/dp/0965364542
if you buy it from amazon make sure to use the stickied link in General Discussion!

 

Well, only part of the value of VAM searching is the increased value of the coin itself. Two other "value add" :

• one learns a lot
• it's kind of fun (if you personally enjoy it, that is)

It's exciting to spot a VAM, even if it's not a Top 100. Gives a real sense of accomplishment. Plus it trains your eye. It helps you learn to grade any coin, and spot "issues".

 

What an awesome book.

Ahhhh yes, young Jedi knights... there is MUCH to learn in that one. Far beyond the coins themselves. I better go back and read it a few more times.

 

900fine, you are correct about that. It is much more than just a listing of VAMs!
The title page says
"Containing
Background of Silver Dollar Coinage
Details of Minting Processes
Historical Letters
1200 illustrations
Descriptions of 1000 errors/varieties
GSA sale of Carson City Dollars
Cleaning, Grading, and Photographing Dollars
Detecting counterfeits"


The section on Far/Near dates and Mintmark variations is really great for silver $ lovers. Their photos were ahead of the time for microscopic examination. I have it on the same shelf as Breen's 2 encyclopedias.

Jim

 

Great book alright , but I wouldn't listen to the part on cleaning coins were it says to make a paste of baking soda and water :headbang:, it works but scratches the heck out of your coins , but other than the cleaning section the book is 1st rate .
rzage

 

It does given a strong indication as to how things change!! I did ( even in the 80s when I bought the book) ignore the cleaning part, so it was just out of my mind, but you are correct about that area.

Many libraries, especially community colleges ( due to smaller holdings) have Inter-Library Loan programs where almost any book can be obtained and borrowed. I have ordered and obtained ( for usually 3 weeks at a time) most of the reference books that I don't have for reading. Then I have bought several because I found so much information that I wanted on hand. Some libraries provide the service free, other charge a small shipping fee as they go media/library rate. Good way to check on a book's content without buying it first. If you live in a large city, maybe the main library has it already.

Jim

 

Just noticed you put your other picture back in your signature , what happened to that other guy with the hat |? Or is he off to do a hit for the syndicate .
rzage:whistle:

 

Couldn't see anything out of the #$@ dark glasses

I didn't have any that dark, so I painted an older standby pair with my watercolors.

It's my BAD KARMA photo..... I needed good Karma so I changed a day or so ago. It worked! The realtor called and said she rented our last vacancy!! And my latest painting scored high in the critique last night.:kewl:

Jim

 

thats cool. I want to know more.

 

I do a little oil painting , though stopped awhile back , would love to see some of you paintings , I'd love to try water colors but have too much invested in oils .
rzage

 

Well, I do have some shooting glasses that are yellow, and I can wear those at night. When I am driving from Flagstaff to here, I could fall asleep from Gila Bend to Yuma and not leave the road. Maybe that would keep the oncoming headlights down.

RZ,

This painting class is oils. I had watercolors twice before :smileNot that I failed them, I just dropped on the the last day so I could take it over again. Community college fees are so reasonable, I don't have to keep a studio active at home. It is in the "drying" room as I want it to dry before the county Fair exhibits in late Feb. Maybe I will find another to post as my signature. But let me warn, I am not a NORMAL painter!

Jim