This is the follow-up to my 1883-Oh My thread (<---backstory) on some Morgans I inherited that belonged to my great grandfather. I started the thread wondering how best to conserve them, and learned more about them in the process thanks to the knowledge of you kind folks. In the end, after trying an acetone soak on one coin and being thoroughly surprised at the result (it removed a film that dulled the surfaces considerably) I did the same to four others. These five were in the best overall condition out of the lot, and they went to PCGS and Variety Slabbing Service for VAM attribution. Here's the results:
(#1-4) All 1883-O VAM-21A I-3 R-5 (#5) 1896-P VAM-5A I-4 R-6 Special thanks to @messydesk for an awesome service and great experience! I feel really glad knowing that the best ones are sealed and properly attributed for when I pass them down someday. Thanks again to all who offered advice/assistance.
The VAM labels are neat. Haven't seen those before. (I'm not a VAMpire, unless you count my graveyard shift job.)
I was just going to say the same. Is this a special label request? I was under the impression the ngc will reluctantly label top 40 vams.
Varslab has nothing to do with PCGS neither does what NGC will do. Varslab is a service from @messydesk. PCGS will do over 300 of them https://www.pcgs.com/vamvarieties but that still leaves thousands they deem to minor to do.
I believe that NGC attributes Top 100, Hot 50 and Hit List 40. I don't know if they have added any more in the last 5 years or so. Chris
That's great that your conservations worked out and that the coins grades as they did. My favorite is the 1896 AU55 - something about that cone coming off the nose is interesting to me.
Agreed, makes for an added conversation piece. These are actually what got me into collecting... I used to sneak into my folks' room starting at 4-5 years old to look at the coins. Frankly, it's a miracle that any of them survived in MS and aren't covered in my fingerprints! Come to think of it, if I was capable of that then my kids are too. I pay tribute to my three year old with circulated Ikes and SBA's to keep her away from the good stuff, but she'll probably wise up soon.
Those are just great, @Lunchbox John . I wish I had the opportunity to get my father's collection of Morgans and Peace Dollars, but Mom gave them to a dealer in her area without consulting me first.
Thanks. Sorry to hear that- I know the feeling as a 19th century colt revolver and 1700's ivory chess set/board in perfect condition were sold among other things that I wish had been passed down. Those were worth way more than the coins ($ wise, though not to me) but life happens I guess. Interesting... I have no clue what caused that. I didn't remove a strip of tape or anything and was afraid to mess with it so I left it alone.
I'm a bit surprised (and glad for you) that the '96 straight graded...would love to know what caused that.
I can only assume that there was a piece of tape there a really long time ago, but its removal didn't leave enough residue to body-bag it. Agreed that was luck in my favor. Edit- I just took a closer look at it and if you tilt the coin you can barely see it... the flow lines are undisturbed there as well so maybe that factored into their decision. I'm not certain how they judge that sort of thing.
Glad you like the results. The 96 VAM 5A is the first one of that variety (including VAM 5) that has crossed my desk in over 13000 coins. 1896 is a great date for repunched date Morgans.