VAMquest.com: The Premier Morgan Dollar and Peace Dollar Auction.

Not to be outdone by the first auction lot, this incredible coin is, in our opinion, one of the most under-appreciated 8TF varieties of the set. That said, we’re proud to offer an MS62 VAM 8. If you’re not impressed, go out and try to find an MS63! It’ll be a long hunt, and be assured, you’ll come back empty-handed. Consider this: today on EBay there’s a raw specimen described as “AU/BU” listed at $675! We note that the NGC specimen offered here has contact on the cheek consistent with the MS62 grade, but both sides are white, and covered with frosty mint luster. Under-valued for the rarity it is!

The 8TF VAM 10 always draws attention when it comes up at auction. In the first place, it’s seldom encountered, so there’s always a pent up demand for this variety. And secondly, examples tend to be quite attractive, so collectors refuse to part with specimens of this caliber. An MS63 specimen is currently (5/25/08) listed on EBay with bids up to $263 with two days to go. A Proof-like obverse and semi Proof-like reverse make this specimen one of the best we’ve seen. Nice contrast and a frosty cheek on Liberty completes the picture.

The next die stage of the VAM 14.1 reverse offered in the last lot is the super rare VAM 14.10. These rarely, if ever, show up in the marketplace, and when they do, the price is commensurate with their extreme rarity. And they certainly aren’t found in PCGS MS62 holders. In terms of condition, this VAM 14.10 is white on both sides, with excellent luster. There’s one mark below Liberty’s chin, or this would be a PQ MS63 example and topping the pop report! And the reverse is semi Proof-like. Super nice for the grade!

This HOT 50 variety is on everyone’s radar. The doubling on the date is dramatic, but most importantly, it is the rarest of three 8TF varieties which share this spectacular obverse. All are desirable, but the VAM 20 is far and away the most desirable. Just a hint of caramel toning at the rim on the Proof-Like reverse is the only color on the coin. Some contact on the cheek is noticeable, but over-all this lustrous specimen is top of the line. By the way, we’ve only seen two MS64 specimens in thirty years!

Compared with the other coins in the auction, we wouldn’t give the VAM 38 a second look, except that it’s a so-called “strong” 7/8TF in a PCGS holder. The surfaces reflect full cartwheel luster and the devices are frosty. How good is it? There’s little doubt this specimen would qualify for someone else’s MS63 grade or better.

The VAM 79 is generally considered the superstar of the 7-TF varieties with B1 Reverse. Yes, the VAM 70 is the TOP 100 listing, but it turns out that the VAM 79 is rarer. Not surprisingly, demand for the VAM 79 has far out-strips supply. There’s light contact on Liberty’s cheek and neck, but it hardly detracts from the reflective fields and the frosty devices. The reverse would grade MS64 or 65, and overall this is a more than presentable specimen of this scarce variety.

An 1878-P 7TF book is in the works, but until it is released, the 7-TF Set hasn’t quite hit its stride. But watch out for the demand when the book is released! One of the varieties that’s already recognized as a major component of the set is the VAM 187, which is part of the HOT 50. This variety, which shows dramatic doubling of the “R” in PLURIBUS, is on everyone’s Hit List. The specimen here shows only the barest traces of wear, with nice luster and lots of detail.

Of the more than 110 different die varieties known for the 1878-S Set, only two are presently regarded as heavy premium varieties. The first is the VAM 22 and the second is the VAM 6, and coincidentally, both display spectacular doubling on E PLURIBUS. The VAM 6, which is offered here, is the more common of the two, but both are in constant demand, especially in PCGS holders. This VAM 6 example has a couple of hits and some striations on Liberty’s cheek, but the striations are Mint made and technically do not detract from the grade. Quite attractive and priced right.

Minting Errors often attract a different crowd than VAM collectors, but where the two intersect is the varieties with Rotated Dies, Yes, they have VAM numbers, but the key here is the amount of deviation from the coin’s normal 180-degree obverse/reverse alignment. Each year it seems that interest in Rotated Dies grows, and the 1878-CC VAM 5 is one of the well known varieties with Rotated Dies in the Morgan dollar series. And it’s not hard to predict what effect increasing demand will have. So, would you like to collect something new in silver dollars? This very scarce specimen with Rotated Dies would make a good start!

Here\'s another HOT 50 coin that’s included in the PCGS Set Registry. It is the 1884-O VAM 35 with Doubled Eyelid. Without a doubt, this lustrous MS63 specimen would fit nicely into any high grade set of VAMs. The obverse is a beautiful MS63, but the reverse is a blazer MS65. White and frosty.

We\'re not sure what this so-called \"Misplaced Date\" variety is all about, but we agree that it looks like the top of a date numeral in the denticles under the “7.” Two such varieties are listed by Van Allen, but this specimen may not match either. In any case, there is something in the denticles that’s quite interesting. This specimen, which is similar to the TOP 100 1896-P VAM 19, is in an MS65 PCGS holder. This fact alone recommends it, especially at a price less than Greysheet Bid for a non-variety!

Hooray for the 1887-P “Donkey Tail” variety! Why? The presence of this super popular TOP 100 variety in an auction setting always causes a stir. And adding to its allure is the fact that the VAM 1A is one of those varieties that can be easily spotted with the naked eye, and yet it’s seldom encountered. In terms of condition, the surfaces are typical of a choice XF coin, but there’s luster peeking out from behind the dark surfaces. And this “Donkey Tail” specimen has something extra thing going for it – the coin is already in a PCGS XF45 holder! Rare and desirable.

We love to include coins like this in our auctions when they become available. Why? Because they represent such a good deal for our members. This coin is everything a buyer could want in a PCGS MS64 coin, and then some! Lots of luster, a sharp strike and undeniable eye appeal combine to make it a real prize.

Ah, the Doubled Ear varieties of 1889. There are a slew of them, but most are currently considered generic. Not so with the VAM 16, which is now specifically included in the HOT 50 listings at PCGS. And this specimen, which is covered with heavy white luster, deserves its high grade at PCGS. Indeed, it has smooth surfaces and the detail is outstanding.

Here’s another one of those pesky so-called "Misplaced Date" varieties, this time an 1896-P MPD-002. Van Allen has written a booklet about Misplaced Dates, and all we can say is that if this type of variety were to catch on, the buyer of MPD coins in this auction would be light years ahead! The considerable luster on this coin shines through the thick golden toning that covers both sides. Very little wear is visible, having the "look" of a BU coin.

Who could argue with acquiring TOP 100 varieties in high grades? It’s a natural strategy for success. Condition-wise, both sides of this specimen are covered with a musky deep golden toning, but when you put a loupe on it, you can see why ANACS was so impressed. The surfaces are superb and the “Doubled Stars” variety feature is fascinating. The fact that the 1896-P VAM 4 is a TOP 100 coin adds to its allure, which is further heightened by its extremely low starting price. Indeed, this one may be quite a bargain!

The 1899-O set of Micro O mintmarks is a popular specialty for VAM collectors. And the fact that the 1896-O, 1900-O and 1902-O Micro O examples are all considered by most specialists to be non-Mint products, leaves the 1899-O Micro O varieties as the only legitimate Micro O’s. The result is a lot of excitement for the 1899-O’s. The VAM 5, which is especially desirable and is usually listed separately from the other 1899-O Micro O’s, leads the pack. The coin offered here is a bit dark with musky overlaying toning, but here and there, lustrous surfaces peek out from under the toning. And further, this specimen shows a lot of detail for an XF. We’ll make a prediction that some silver dollar specialist who’s assembling a PCGS Registry Set will scoop this coin up. Bets anyone!

On this particular specimen Liberty’s profile is clearly doubled, but it’s the date that’s the selling point here. Since, certified 1901-P coins in Mint State are basically impossible to find at anything resembling a reasonable cost, AU specimens have become intensely popular with collectors. Indeed, the price of AU specimens has skyrocketed over the past five years. Offered here is a slabbed AU55 example with dark toning on both sides of the coin, but all the detail is there for this Choice AU grade. It may not be your cup of tea, but with the Greysheet price for an AU at almost $300, 1901-P’s are now worth their weight in gold!

The 1922-P VAM 7 Doubled Die Reverse comes with two different obverses. The one offered here has the diagonal lines over the TR of TRUST, instead of the dot between the letters. And although the variety is not one of the super rarities in the series, the doubling along the eagle’s wing on the reverse is extraordinary enough to gain the attention of collectors and specialists. PCGS graded this specimen MS63.

The 1923-P VAM 11 is notable for its doubled middle olive leaves on the reverse. And there’s a short die gouge in front of Liberty’s neck on the obverse, just below the jaw. This may not be a lot to get excited about, but for those who are putting together sets of Peace dollars, this coin should be of interest. And considering the current price of silver, as well as the cost of slabbing coins, the minimum bid here looks to be quite a bargain!

The 1923-P VAM 11 is notable for its doubled middle olive leaves on the reverse. And there’s a short die gouge in front of Liberty’s neck on the obverse, just below the jaw. This may not be a lot to get excited about, but for those who are putting together sets of Peace dollars, this coin should be of interest. And considering the current price of silver, as well as the cost of slabbing coins, the minimum bid here looks to be quite a bargain!

The 1923-P VAM 12 is probably not on the radar screens of most collectors, but it has one feature to recommend it – A raised dot of metal in front of Liberty’s hair behind the neck/chin junction. The coin itself has some stray marks, but is nevertheless attractive. Nice luster and a strong strike add to its appeal.

You’ve got to love VAMs with a name like “Drooling Chin” variety. Yes, there’s a tiny die break that hangs down from Liberty’s lips to the chin, so the name could have been worse! In any case, the variety is apparently scarce. On the reverse, there are the remains of two clash marks at the eagle’s shoulders. The coin itself is a bit grungy, but the luster still remains and best of all the coin is “original,” which means it hasn’t been dipped or messed with in order to artificially improve its grade.

The 1923-D VAM 1E is an important variety. It shows a number of die breaks in Liberty’s hair, and the breaks themselves, as well as the locations, are significant. All this adds up to the fact that collectors should add the VAM 1E their Hit Lists, and even in XF45 condition, this variety can produce lots of oohs and aahs!

Want a TOP 50 Peace dollar in a holder that looks to be two or three grades too low? Then here is a 1925-P VAM 5 in PCGS MS62 for your consideration. Why is it in an MS62 holder? Nobody we’ve shown it to can explain it. It has booming luster, a clean cheek on Liberty and few marks anywhere on the coin. But the consignor had to settle for this grade. Needless to say, the buyer will be thrilled with this lustrous coin.

The 1927-P with Doubled Motto is a late date Peace dollar variety that joins the 1927-D and 1927-S as the targets of collector attention. It seems that everyone wants one of these in a PCGS holder. Look at the EBay prices for these varieties in other slabs, and then compare that the price for the same variety in a PCGS holder, and you’ll be amazed at the difference in value. The reason is simple. This AU58 specimen with its bright luster and super eye appeal would undoubtedly be in someone else’s MS62 or MS63 holder.

The Doubled Die Obverse 1934-D comes with two different reverses. The primary one is the more common VAM 3, which has a medium sized “D” mintmark. The other variety with this same obverse is the VAM 4, which has a small-sized “D” mintmark. This variety is so rare and expensive that it was originally called the King of Peace Dollar VAMs! It’s still highly sought-after. This specimen displays a broad arc of toning across the obverse. The rest of the coin is white and highly lustrous. This superstar specimen, which we’re proud to offer, will probably become the centerpiece in someone’s Peace dollar variety set!