Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="satootoko, post: 16860, member: 669"]Although I don't collect Morgans, I understand that a VAM number is the number assigned to a particular die variety or combination by one of the authorities on the coin.This is short for "population", and indicates the number of examples of the particular coin which have received the specified grade from one of the major third party graders.  "PCGS MS 63 POP 4, 2 higher" would mean that the coin is graded by PCGS as MS 63, which reports three others of the same grade, and 2 in higher grades."The Darkside" (all one word) is the term applied to collecting world coins (non-U.S.) on another forum, which seems to be creeping into use here also.  In that context "the Liteside" refers to U.S. coins and for obvious reasons "the Greyside" refers to Canadian coinage."To snipe" is to enter a bid on an online auction within the final seconds, hoping that the other bidders won't have an opportunity to raise their own bids in response.  Proponents believe that other bidders don't necessarily place their true maximum bids ahead of time, and can be ambushed by a snipe.  Opponents argue that placing an early bid of your true maximum for the coin or other object is the surest way to win every auction in which the price does not exceed your personal top, without getting caught up in "auction fever" and overpaying at the end.  IMHO both sides have some good points.[/QUOTE]