I know some are more rare than others, but how is the price determined? I also have the opportunity to purchase a ANACS graded MS63 1900 O Morgan Vam 41A for $65. Worth it?
Generally speaking, I've found that as with most anything else, supply, demand, and popularity play a huge part, but it would be wise to understand that just because an example is classified, this does not make it noteworthy and majority carry little if any real premium. As for the VAM in question, according to VAMworld, it has been eliminated as it is the same as 35A (links below). http://www.vamworld.com/1900-O VAM-41A http://www.vamworld.com/1900-O VAM-35A According to the 35A page, it is plentiful in high grades and usually does not bring a premium. However, it still may be worth doing a little homework to verify this claim, but unless the coin itself greatly appeals to you, all outward appearances suggest that it is probably not one worth paying up for. Edited to add: my above post has only to do with any premium for the VAM in question and not the coin itself or the asking price.
As a fellow VAM collector, here is my own personal set of rules. 1. I don't generally buy VAM's because they are VAM's. There are exceptions to the this rule, but usually if it is not a rare VAM then I buy the coin first. 2. Refer to rule one when in doubt. It looks like that VAM that you mention is not a big one, therefore, the price seems reasonable for that coin in the MS63 grade.
Same here. I only buy Morgans with nice toning. Eye appeal is really a must-have. If it happens to be a Hot-50 I am willing to pay a premium. But I am def. not hunting for VAMs...
The nice thing about VAMs is that they make the series almost infinite in size. I often buy a coin because I like the combination of the way it looks and the price. The nice thing I then get to spend hours trying to find out if has a VAM number attached to it (I actually had to increase my wireless plan when I started doing VAMs). I find that many, if not a majority, can be identified. Most, however, have no premium beyond what you assign to it.
When the last edition of the "VAM Bible" was released in 1992, there were approximately 1,800 Morgan and Peace VAM's. Today, there are well over 4,000. As previously mentioned, not all VAM's are scarce. As a matter of fact, you have to wonder why some of them are considered "Top 100" or even "Hot 50". They're really very ordinary. What really matters is whether you like it or not. Chris
