A clarification of why Roger Burdette is posting on VAM World

[RogerB]

Members should rest assured that I have not been converted to "VAMing," however much I appreciate members research into variety details. My purpose is to add occasional pieces of context that might help members more clearly understand how and why these varieties exist. The unfortunate fact is that very little internal US Mint information on Morgan or Peace dollars is accessible. Van Allen & Mallis got a lot of it in print, but much more is likely buried in manuscript documents filed and mis-filed in archives across the country. There is much less available on the equipment, detailed procedures, and operations involved in manufacturing the coins and getting them into commercial circulation (...or attempting to).

As I slowly go through archive documents, nearly every day produces some unexpected information - or even a revelation or two. A few of these relate to VAM members interests, the 1879-S rev 78-S dollars being one of these. As these things pop up, I plan to post the information here for all to read and use as they feel appropriate.

[LateDateMorganGuy]

I for one thank you for this.

[tbconcrete]

Its good to hear from you Mr. Burdette. Hope all is well, Tim

[raynat3]

Yes Roger, Thank you for the research you do that many of us are either unable or unwilling to do. Thank you for taking the time to share with us the information that opens up the small windows in time that we can understand more about the process and events that influenced the minting of coins.

[messydesk]

Thanks for doing this. One thing I find rewarding about this hobby is when you can point to things on coins that show demonstrate what people wrote in these documents or letters. Likewise, having a document turn up that backs up what you're noticing about a coin is also pretty cool. For example, in a presentation I did about 1881-O, I showed that the VAM 16 (PL, collapsed reverse) was both a rare and cool coin as a result of studying @HawkeEye's collection. Then along comes a partial 81-O die usage report showing a reverse die that got very little use and was withdrawn because it was "too soft." No way to prove it, but that could have been VAM 16. The connection with those who made these things we collect is pretty cool.

[RogerB]

Members should feel free to ask if I have data on some date/MM of coin or mint production process. The database is much more extensive than I can ever publish, and it is only by members questions that I can relay possibly useful information.

Since I do not collect by variety, I do not know the questions members might have. Messydesk's situation was serendipitous, but by posting information here it might be possible to increase the purposeful combination of members' observations with archival data.

[PacificWR]

Thank you for the offer.

[Longstrider]

Thank you very much. A wonderful offer to us..

[morganman]

Thanks Roger; For the countless hours of research and documentation/writings on our
beloved Morgans. In No way did i ever imagine such detail regarding minting
process etc within my 55 yrs collecting. Talk about fate, that we Morgan nuts
elected such a fantastic coin to collect.

Amazing, collecting America's most collected,large flashy silver dollar.
The detailed info on Morgans is secondary to none and vamming has propelled
morgans to unprecendented knowledge based heights, with more to come.

The committment by all interested is what has propelled this hobby/business to
where it is today.

[tbconcrete]

A Master work on coinage is a book called From Mine to Mint. A must read for the Silver Dollar Collector. Read it twice. With a highlighter marker.
"American Coinage Operations and Technology 1833 to 1937".

[RogerB]

Thanks! Glad you are finding From Mine to Mint interesting and informative. I tried to cover the "basics" of US Mint operations and machinery, and put it into one volume. (The CD is fully searchable and intended to replace a traditional index.)

Some of the JNR issues (#1 and #3) cover the Janvier reducing lathe, Uhlhorn-type press (the toggle type used to strike silver dollars) and Franklin Peale's inventions/improvements in the 1830s.

[Albannach]

Nice to see you Roger!

I would take this gentlemand up on his offer. Roger has always engaged in respectful conversations with me and is open to all input that forwards understanding. Even though we have sometimes disagreed, he express's his points and opinions very effectively, I hope he feels the same.

[Mhomei]

I am one who appreciates all your posts
Keep them coming and thank you.

[DHalladay]

I am one who appreciates all your posts
Keep them coming and thank you.

Ditto for me!
The information you post does all of us a great favor.

[HawkeEye]

I certainly appreciate Roger and his work. In the upcoming 1881-O newsletter Roger helped me once again under a finer distinction in die doubling that I think all will find interesting.

[Geseas]

....this here is a reference, and you all are the authors. IMO