Norm is a VAM legend. :high5: He's going to have so many new discoveries, they're going to have to start calling them NAMS.
So how does one begin this process? I mean, it's not good form to just ship a batch of coins off to Leroy Van Allen and expect him to hook you up...... I have two (one you're aware of, nesvt) which might make the "new VAM" grade, but I don't want to seem presumptuous about it.
I think you have to send him $20 to look at your coin. If you missed something and it's already a attributed VAM, he will tell you, but I think it still costs $20. You are paying him for his time.
I'm not sure if he has set rates or not. I usually go through the same process.... I try to identify as much as I can. If possible, I try to determine the obverse and reverse dies. This means going through the VAM book, all of the updates, and a couple of websites. If I think it's new, I post images on one or more forums and ask for help. I give Becky and the other experts time to evaluate and check their resources. If it still looks like a new discovery, I send it to Leroy with a description, photos, and money. The amount is at least enough to cover return S&H&I and some of his time. If you do send something, you can always ask if you are including reasonable funds for his expert analysis. I know some people send him email with images first. I sent two coins this morning. One has a large die break on the reverse. The other has Lady Liberty wearing a contact lens.
