According to VAM world, VAM 9 is the first Morgan. There's a wonderful story there about how a reporter was present on March 11, 1878 when they began minting the Morgans - and in this story, only 303 pieces were struck before the die broke. However, the census at the bottom of the webpage lists 341? Obviously all of the existing coins couldn't be included in the census, and the census could have repeats, but it's pretty far off. In addition, the coin is listed as an I-2 , R-7, which makes sense if there were only 300 or so minted - but only an I-2? Very few are available on ebay (only one right now) and none in completed listings, and the on-line dealers I reviewed had very few - so it is a rare VAM - but why only an I-2 and what's with the census discrepency? Anyone know more about this?
The fact that it is a minor variety has nothing to do with it's scarcity. The only thing that makes this variety different is the engraved wing feather which is really not as interesting as, say, a Hot Lips or Scarface. Chris
Interesting - so maybe it needs a sexier name - "first born child" or something. (BTW, Chris, the coins you have linked to your profile page are gorgeous). I am surprised that the very first die run doesn't attract more interest.
