My girlfriend got this for graduation gift years ago. I recently looked closely at it and noticed a stair-like, second bottom of the number 1. The number 9 has a top half resembling the 8 next to it. A local coin shop (no longer in business) had a VAM book but could only find either the doubling of the one on the 1889O or an '89 over 88-O, but not both, which is what this appears to be. Pretty good grad gift huh?What do you all say? BTW, these pics were shot through 3 magnifying glasses with the super macro on, with different lighting, and these are the best.
does anyone have an idea of value? The dealer with the VAM book was unable to attribute it and wouldn't even take a guess...
I believe the "9" is damaged on the digit. The one is definitely repunched, and I think I can barely see repunching on the bottom of the first "8". So tentatively I would say it is a 1889 O VAM 5 , with a possiblity of a VAM 6 if the 9 has doubling like this example. http://www.vamworld.com/1889-O+VAM-6 . more detailis needed on date for positive ID. VAM 6 worth more. VAM 5 probably very little more. Jim
more pics... Here's more pics... at first I thought that the 9 was damage.... but compare it (last pic) first with the 8 next to it and then with the other 1889 I have directly underneath for comparison.... the top half of the 9 looks exactly like the top half of the 8 in shape and size to me...... oh btw, there is repunching at the bottom of the first 8, I see it now.
It appears to me, and I realize you are doing the best you can with the photos, that the extension to the left of the 9 has a slightly different slope angle than the 8 next to it. Also if it was an underlying 8, being that strong, there would be indications of the rest of that 8 other than just an edge of the upper loop. There should be evidence to the south as well as in the loop of the overlying 9, and I see none of that. I will stick with VAM 5 and damage on the "9". Nice find. Jim
cool. Vam-5. I realize it's not in the best condition, maybe F-12? any idea of value? I want to keep it but she insists that if it's temting enough she wants to sell it, so what's the record of prices realized on an 1889 O Vam-5? in F-12 or so?
Unfortunately, I do not know of a site that has this information public. I think the SDCC http://www.vamworld.com/SSDC issues a market price sheet for their members. I am not a member so I can't help you. You might check the current/finished ebay auction to see if any have come up lately. I would guess it would be 0-10% over unspecified VAM 1889 O Morgans. Jim
