Hi, I bought this 1903 S Morgan Vam 3 on eBay on Buy-It-Now. The seller stated it was the small S verity so naturally I purchased it. I did not know there was a 1903 S VAM 3. Just assumes he typoed the VAM 2. Anyway it is a VAM 3. (S tilted). Can anyone give me idea of the coin's true grade? Seller stated XF+. AlsoI even asked a question abt the coin and I mentioned Micro S...you can see his answer at the bottom of page. 1903 S are worth a good bit at grades 40 and above. I need to send the coin back if I got ripped. Paid $297.41 for it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...5&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123#ht_3224wt_939 Thanks....
If you are asking the question, chances are the coin should go back. That said, the coin appears close to XF, but really it depends on the luster, which is difficult/impossible to see in the photos. To be frank, it appears to have been cleaned from the photos. Lastly, I would not take for granted the "value" of VAMs. My impression of the market, having participated for a time, is that VAM collectors like to cherrypick, not "pay up" for already-identified varieties. All of these points say to me that you should return the coin. Respectfully..>Mike
In my opinion, it is a VAM-3, which is marked on the back of his 2x2, but it is not the small (micro-s) of the VAM-2/ That is why the VAM-2 is in the top 100 VAM list. I think you have full conscience to return it as it is not the small-s variety. http://www.vamworld.com/1903-S+Reverses. The coin looks a little rough. I would send it back and wait for the VAM-2. Jim
The details grade is, IMO, just short of 40, and it's hard to tell if the obverse is "problem free." CoinValues, which is a little high on Morgans I think, has the VF-20 at $250 and the EF-40 at $450, so even if this one is a VF-30, you probably did not get "ripped," or at least not too badly. The Grey Sheet is actually more accurate on this series, so you should check the price there, too. And see what this grade has been going for in other EBay auctions. If the price looks about right, it may be worth keeping.
