ANACS grades in

[DHalladay]

coins in holders copy.jpg (200.16 KiB) Viewed 1328 times

My biggest submission ever (by far) consisted of 38 1921-D Morgans, which I’ve been fooling around with this year to help improve the scribbles guide. Due to the massive increase in MS63-64 prices during Covid, I’ve rarely strayed from the AU comfort zone.

I attached my own VAM attributions and was pleased to see that all were correct. Sort of. I couldn’t decide between 1K2 and 1K3 on one coin, so I called it 1K2. But J.R. went with 1K3. Close enough, so I’m taking credit.

Besides being enormously pleased, my huge takeaway is I suck at precise grading of circulated 1921-Ds. I almost always got the AU part right, but rarely the specific number:

I undergraded 31 (some badly).
I slightly overgraded 3.
I was right on only 4.

I expected 2 to come back with “details”, but it wound up being 3 (one that I thought would got a straight grade instead). Two surprised me, but I see why now.

grades.jpg (115.59 KiB) Viewed 1338 times

[RogerRock]

Nice to see VAMs 1i3 1J 1K3 1N3 1W3 and 1AA2 included on this order. ANACS population does not show a single specimen for VAM 1i3 or 1W3. Scribble photography must be challenging on those late die state VAMs.
Thanks for updated scribble photos on the Page.

Late die state 1921 D coins have to be graded with die erosion/deterioration taken into account when determining an accurate grade.

[shortnock]

Nice flock of '21 D's. Here's hoping that VAMdom appreciates your dedication.

[pup_picker]

nice sub.

what have you found to be different/same harder/easier from holding back on grades to keep the hunt alive?

[DHalladay]

nice sub.

what have you found to be different/same harder/easier from holding back on grades to keep the hunt alive?

Not sure I understand what you mean about the "holding back on grades" part. The hard part of what I'm doing is the incredible lack of scribbles photos. I don't don't mean decent photos, but any photos at all. Out of 218 different 1921-D VAMs, only 136 have scribbles photos.

The die crack break guide is even less help (fewer coins shown), because the VAMs represented tend to be only late die state examples where the cracks are numerous and bold.

Rob Joyce told me that if I went down this rabbit hole it would lead to lots of new VAMs. Although I haven't sent in any yet, I already have a small stack of good candidates.

[JohnGoldsmith]

You have always been cautious on your grade.

[SilverToken]

What was the cycle time? (ship to and received back)

I still like the curved top on the holders, it would be nice if the VAM # were up there too to find at a glance.

[DHalladay]

Rough cycle time:

Mailed to ANACS April 20-something.
Mailed from ANACS July 12.

[JASONKFLO]

Wow nice group

[Geseas]

Thanks, Dennis

Would I be safe to speculate (on the Bay) that you will continue your efforts involving those very few 'JOH' s that do remain?

( pronounced JOE)

[DHalladay]

Thanks, Dennis

Would I be safe to speculate (on the Bay) that you will continue your efforts involving those very few 'JOH' s that do remain?

( pronounced JOE)

Yes... if I can get my hands on identifiable examples. With decent, clear photos of scribbles and meaningful PUPs I can make a strong new VAM number case with J.B. and J.R. They've been very good about that.

[pup_picker]

nice sub.

what have you found to be different/same harder/easier from holding back on grades to keep the hunt alive?

Not sure I understand what you mean about the "holding back on grades" part. The hard part of what I'm doing is the incredible lack of scribbles photos. I don't don't mean decent photos, but any photos at all. Out of 218 different 1921-D VAMs, only 136 have scribbles photos.

oh, just asking since you are holding back buying higher-grade coins due to big price increases (understandble and NOT the first time we are going through this due to price increases) and what are any or not observations about what you are finding or not based on these changes in buying habits.

too bad about the images. if only out of all the people being members here over the years, someone would take it upon themselves to upload images en-masse of high quality for people to sort/sift through.

hope you're still finding goodies in au coins out there!

these times do tend to shake some stuff outta the woodwork as well.

[DHalladay]

Ah, I understand now.

As far as buying Ds goes, I never bought them in any grade before this little project, other than the odd Unicorn and TRU_T cherrypick. I didn't collect them by VAM before, so I have no way to compare what I'm finding now. I do get the sense that almost no seller pays any attention to what they're selling, as I have turned up Unicorns, a TRU_T, and a filled first T in TRUST. I also get the sense that the size of the 1921-D VAM catalog (currently 218 different) could probably go to 300 in relatively few years.

[morganman]

I see you very conservative in your estimated grades Good skills on estimating
Absolute insanity on trying to attribute 21 series-as i have stated many times
Guess retirement leaves us to much free time LOL LOL

i want to enjoy more patio boating, fishing, gold mining, some travel and less
coin time, more time with my Barbara and simply having fun

We all do what we like and it changes with various age progression
Croaking, leaving coins to people that could care less is not in my plan LOL

Glad your enjoying the huge 1921 challenges,as others have dealt with various
other date challenges. Enjoy IDAHO