Do I have a 1902-O VAM 1?

[Joethecoinguy]

The VAMworld listings state for the 1902-O VAM 1 that the variety "likely does not exist". Isn't the coin I am showing, a coin from my collection, a VAM 1?

[ljs123]

Could we see reverse photos?
I'm no 02-O expert, but it looks like a near date to me.

@LateDateMorganGuy
@messydesk
@vampicker

[messydesk]

Definitely a near date. The chip in the 2 occurs on later die stages of several VAMs, some near dates. A close-up of the mint mark would also help.

[vampicker]

That coin went into a holder long before Alan Scott did his excellent and detailed study on this date. VAM-1 is now an empty nest. If he chimes in with the correct number, please send this back to ANACS so I can update it.

[alefzero]

Compare to VAM-59.

[LateDateMorganGuy]

Since it is attributed as a VAM-1, then technically it is a C4 reverse. If it is, the only filled 2 candidates I have cataloged with a near date and C4 reverse are V44A, V51A, and V61. Since I don't see the crack for the LDS V51A at the date, try the other two.

But yeah, knowing if it is a C4 or C4/C3 reverse and a photo of the mint mark would help nail this down.

[LateDateMorganGuy]

By the way, if the near date was missed by the attributor, then maybe the revere type was also missed.

If you have a C4/C3 reverse, try V19, V31A, V61 (oops from previous post), and V73 Die 2.

[vampicker]

BTW, that serial number is from at least 25 years ago

[alefzero]

BTW, that serial number is from at least 25 years ago

There were 29 of them attributed in the past as such, 9 in this grade. Teletrade sold one in May 1994 for $80. Could be that one or one of its 8 cousins.

[LateDateMorganGuy]

Upon further review, I suspect highly this is a VAM-19. Check your coin for a C4/C3 reverse. Also check for the small gouge inside the U of PLURIBUS.

[Longstrider]

This back and forth is very interesting to me. All the little tells are amazing. I hope the owner gets back with the photos. Thanks to all you guys.

[LateDateMorganGuy]

The bottom two photos of the date make it look like a Very Near Date, or very close to that. The only die pair known with this date placement and a filled 2 is the VAM-19. Sometimes photo angles can make things appear different than a straight on photo shot.

The 02-Os were a bear to attribute 25 years ago when this coin was attributed. It is one reason I did a die study which was to try and straighten things out with the 02-Os. I did this when I realized nobody would do it unless I took it on.

[Joethecoinguy]

I did NOT realize I would cause such a stir posting my question, I am VERY sorry I've been very busy, I haven't looked until now to see what the answer is, and to my dismay I realized that many others have spent much more time than necessary speculating as to what the answer is, because like an idiot I failed to take and post pictures of the reverse. I WILL ultimately post pictures of the reverse but the coin is currently back in my safe-deposit box and it will take a fews days before I can bring it back home, take pictures of the reverse, post them here, and let the experts comment on it. I want to know the final answer as to the VAM so I will not forget to do this! Sorry folks, please hold tight, let me get back to you. Joe

[mark]

Wait.. someone paid $80 bucks for an MS63 1902-o in 1994?

[alefzero]

Wait.. someone paid $80 bucks for an MS63 1902-o in 1994?

From the Teletrade Real Price Guide 1993-1994 (I have a number of them for different years.)

1902-O-VAM-1-TTRPG93-94.jpg (82.34 KiB) Viewed 1385 times

[Flat-Chested]

Latedatemorganguy announced he was looking for photos of 1902o. My coin has a crack through TES and OF

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D00_9169.jpg (281.75 KiB) Viewed 1282 times

[LateDateMorganGuy]

Your coin has more than just the cracks. But try VAM-34.

[JASONKFLO]

nothing special about this MS-63 1902 O but I do like the toning I think I paid 58.50 shipped

IMG_6185-3.jpg (242.72 KiB) Viewed 1269 times

Screen Shot 2020-05-11 at 8.14.00 PM-2.jpg (278.79 KiB) Viewed 1269 times

[Flat-Chested]

Thanks for the attribution. The listing says "Doubling on top of olive branch to right of olive..." but perhaps it should state "...to the left of the olive...". Here are photos of the doubling in the arrowheads and in the eagle's eye and nostril.

1902-O VAM-34 D00_9169 arrowheads.jpg (330.29 KiB) Viewed 1268 times

1902-O VAM-34 D00_9169 Eaglehead.jpg (166.94 KiB) Viewed 1268 times

[LateDateMorganGuy]

Jason, try VAM-45 Die Pair #5.