Vam Collector Information
The word VAM comes from the authors initials of the Encyclopedia of Morgans and Peace Dollars by Leroy C. Van Allen and A. George Mallis = VAM is Van = V, Allen = A, and Mallis = M = VAM. A Vam variety for a Morgan or Peace Dollar is like an error coin. There are many different VAM varieties. Some of these varieties are R-1 rarity factor - very common, to very unique R-8 rarity factor. I have a copy of the rarity scale below for you to review.
Each Vam has a rarity and Interest factors assigned and a scale used in the Encyclopedia of Morgan's and Peace Dollar 4th edition by Leroy C. Van Allen and A. George Mallis. There is also Bowers Universal Rarity Scale URS-xx rarity which is used by the Cherrypickers books. The Cherry pickers guide uses interest, liguidity and URS rarity scale. The URS rarity I think is much better for morgan lower mintage coins.
There are many books out there they use different rarity scales, interest, liquidity, Popularity factors based on the reference material that you are using.
Reference Material
1. The Encyclopedia of Morgan and Peace Dollars 4th edition by Leroy C. Van Allen and A. George Mallis.
2. Then you should get the updates to the Encyclopedia of Morgan and Peace Dollars - The New Vam Varieties of Morgan and Peace Dollars 1992-2005, which you can get from Leroy C. Van Allen.
3. Top 100 Vam Keys by Jeff Oxman and Micheal S. Fey Phd.
4. On line Vam World at http://www.vamworld.com/ I highly recommend all my customer to join this web site for great vam infomation.
5. SSDC Top 50 Peace Dollar Varieties by Jeff Oxman and Dr David Close
5. There is also software available for the top 100 Vam's, 1878 series of coins finding treasures in 1921 Morgan and many more books.
Grading Services that will Certify Vam Varieties
PCGS - www.pcgs.com - certifies Top 100, Hot 50, 8TF, 7/8 TF, and Peace Top 50 VAMs, plus a few others.
NGC - www.ngccoin.com - certifies Top 100, Hot 50, 8TF, and 7/8 TF VAMs.
ANACS - www.anacs.com - certifies any verifiable VAM
ICG - www.icgcoin.com - ()
SEGS - www.segsgrading.com - certifies any verifiable VAM
PCI - www.pcicoins.com - certifies any verifiable VAM
Vam Attribution What You Need
Good microscope, second excellent light, third rotation of coin to have the light hit coin just right, and fourth good books and the updated information with pictures and explanation of Vam varieties. The microscope with at least 20X minimum to 40X magnification you really do not need to go much past 40X. Keep in mind Obverse and Reverse Die Types. Second you need good light, I mean real good light without the light it is very difficult to see some of the varieties. Third you need to rotate the coin, at certain angles you may see the variety when the light hits the coin just right. Some varieties you can see with the bare eye, some with eye piece, but it is best to view Vam's with a scope. Especially with the clashed die coin like "n" In "s" "t" "O",and "M" etc. If you have any question of what you need to look at Vam varieties yourself just email me at TerriL02@comcast.net I hope this was some help thank you.
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