VAMWorld 2.0

Here's the full reverse with another shot of the gouge right of the olive leaves and another shot of the gouge under the the R which is raised. This photo shows the raised gouge under the R a bit better. I don't think there's any question that it's a 1D, but a reverse photo of the discovery coin is ...

Thanks, Raybob. Can you also take a look at my other 1925 Peace post, the 1AD?

Spent a cold Saturday afternoon identifying VAMs on 1925 Peace Dollars. This 1925 has lines on the rim around the entire obverse and reverse circumferences. Is there a simple explanation for what would cause these lines? Is this a type of collar clash? I only photographed obverse lines but same line...

I'm going through some Peace dollars and found one that has all the diagostics of a VAM-1AD, but there is something additional on the lower reverse, a die gouge, that is not mentioned in the DC description. This variety was discovered in 2010, but the VW page does not say by whom. Does anyone know w...

On the 1921 VW page under 17 berries necklace varieties, the 1BE is listed below the necklace varieties with the following instruction: "Below this line has not been determined if they belong in the list of Necklace Varieties." I am assuming the discovery coin (2015) was not a necklace variety. I ma...

Glad to see that the price guide is near. I believe interest in VAMs is growing and a price guide would spur much greater interest in my opinion.

Too new to this to have a particular favorite. My “favorite” VAM is the very next one I figure out without help.

I appreciate the information. Thank you messydesk. Solved a mystery to me. Certainly, the man (and his partner) who pioneered the work of this esoteric part of he hobby are to be admired for their selfless dedication to it, which has provided many years of enjoyment to those who pursue VAM identific...

Switching from Morgans to Ikes is to the eye as switching from Big Band to disco is to the ear. Better to be blind and deaf. No offense intended to our 34th president.

Great subject. It would seem to me rarity would affect demand and value, but as previously noted there are VAMs with low R values that are sought after and command a premium. That seems to be a contradiction because everywhere else in the coin world low mintage translates into higher value. Exceptio...

A VAMmobile.

Bear with me here. Long post offering some theories on (1) the ringlets, and (2) the wavy line by stars. First, the ringlets. Searching the Internet, I found an article (Coin World, Mike Diamond, August 2016) about seven bumps on the surface of a coin that confuse collectors. Two types of bumps can ...

I gave it an acetone bath as suggested. No effect. I also lightly ran the tip of a toothpick over the rings. As I ran the tip of the toothpick over the rings under the nose and along the profile, the toothpick "stuck" or "fell" into the ring perimeter and I could feel the indentation. The ring perim...

Thanks for the clarification. I guess in my mind the dies striking each other without a planchet is a minting process error, but the coins minted in subsequent strikes from the clashed dies create a variety as you indicate. Remember, it takes paradoliacs longer to figure these things out than normal...

Also a ring in the L of PLURIBUS.

So this is a feed finger scrape, or "feed finger gouge" that, according to the VW definitions page, can be a feature on the certain VAMs, just like the mysterious "necklace" markings appear on certain VAMs and aid in identifying the VAM. Below are the feed finger VAMs for the 1921-S found on the VW ...

This 1955 Franklin half (obverse die) appears to have been heavily polished around the mouth, presumably to fix Ben's buck teeth, but two fangs are still faintly visible. I'm no expert on Franklin halves or the Bugs Bunny error, but would this still be considered a Bugs Bunny half? I'm thinking no b...

Here are more photos. Also note the OF on reverse.

Can someone tell me what would cause the following:

(1) What appears to be sunken field around obverse right stars?
(2) Sunken area above PL at rim?
(3) Are these a type of die trails lines behind A in STATES or something else?

The 1881-O website is excellent. First I’ve seen it. Another great VAM resource.