Trying to pinpoint my (weakly struck?) 1921 Morgan. (Edit: it is a VAM-3GX)

[johnhenry9009]

Hi, I'm new to collecting VAMs and I was wondering if anybody could point me in the right direction. It's a 16 berry reverse, it doesn't have any obverse or reverse die cracks except for what appears to be one that goes from the bottom right of the left star on the reverse and up into the wreath. It does not have any scribbles on the back in between the left foot and the tail. This is my first time photographing my coins therefore I do apologize for the rotated photos.

1921 VAM unknown but it is a 16 Berry (3).JPG (174.3 KiB) Viewed 370 times

1921 VAM unknown but it is a 16Berry (6).JPG (157.47 KiB) Viewed 370 times

1921 VAM unknown but it is a 16Berry (4).JPG (158.95 KiB) Viewed 370 times

1921 VAM unknown but it is a 16Berry (5).JPG (159.08 KiB) Viewed 370 times

[UNCLE BINGO]

"weakly struck "

[UNCLE BINGO]

let me help I can't turn my screen upside down. Ill fall off my chair the other way

1921 VAM unknown but it is a 16Berry (5) edit odverse.jpg (182.72 KiB) Viewed 362 times

1921 VAM unknown but it is a 16 Berry (3).JPG (175.41 KiB) Viewed 362 times

[UNCLE BINGO]

Is that a filter or just the camera ?... very pretty pictures

And welcome to the forum !

[johnhenry9009]

To answer your question Mr. uncle bingo it's just the camera and thank you.

[vampicker]

Weakness at the date and lower stars is a striking issue and not related to any specific variety. Without any scribbles or a recognizable crack pattern you'll be stuck with a generic VAM 3 designation.

[johnhenry9009]

Thank you
I knew that there was a decent likelihood of it being a VAM-3 16 Berries and that's good because now I have two different 1921 Morgan VAMs.

[weth]

It's hard to be sure without more detailed pictures, but based on the positioning of that break by the reverse star, I'm thinking this might be a VAM 3GX.

[johnhenry9009]

I can try and get better quality photos if you need them.
I just think that the die crack on the reverse is in the wrong place and goes the wrong direction for it to be a VAM-3GX, and does not have any scribbles in between the left leg and tail feathers.

[weth]

Well, if the break is "going in the wrong direction" then maybe I'm mistaking toning for a break, and could indeed use a close-up of any pertinent detail. I like going off of cracks, but any other polishing line or feature will help.

[johnhenry9009]

I tried my best to photograph the spots that seemed important.

This is the "die crack"

S20230306_0008.jpg (231.74 KiB) Viewed 247 times

S20230304_0004.jpg (464.68 KiB) Viewed 247 times

S20230306_0001.jpg (222.86 KiB) Viewed 247 times

S20230306_0002.jpg (234.38 KiB) Viewed 247 times

[UNCLE BINGO]

Is there a little tiny start of a crack by the other star too ? I thought I saw this on the crack guide but could not make out anything in the wreath the first round of pictures you posted .

[johnhenry9009]

There doesn't appear to be a beginning die crack on the other star.

S20230306_00011.jpg (239.66 KiB) Viewed 232 times

S20230306_00010.jpg (297.86 KiB) Viewed 232 times

[UNCLE BINGO]

Well , weth is who i consider the gate keeper on these , my money is on him to solve your mystery . good luck
These 21's are so bizarre to me .

[weth]

Thanks for posting the additional photos! It still looks like a moderately late die state VAM 3GX to me. The scribbles at the leg and the extensive polishing at the wing which are quite vivid in early die state examples seems to get really flat and muted later on. Even further on, a break develops from the wreath down past the top of the R and into the A of DOLLAR, and I'm surprised it's not a little more apparent in your photo. So hey, it could be something else, but other than that it seems to fit VAM 3GX LDS to me.

[johnhenry9009]

yeah, no problem and I would have to agree with you as It does appear to be a later die state and It is unfortunate that one of the die markers listed for the VAM-3GX is feed finger die scratches by the ST but that area of the coin is flat but you have to play the cards you’re dealt. Thanks everybody who pitched in.
Edit 4/14/23: I went to look at the die markers on the coin and found the Diagonal die scratch on the wreath here is a photo

S20230414_0003.jpg (203.95 KiB) Viewed 55 times