| Winning Lots from Auction #30 |
| Lot Image |
Lot Name (Lot #)
Description |
Price Realized* |
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1878 8TF VAM 3 PCGS MS63 (Lot 30001)
According to the consignor, this 1878 8-TF VAM 3 was put away years ago, and only recently was sent in to PCGS for grading. The expectation was that it would come back MS64PL, but reality set in when it returned MS63. Yet, the coin is simply gorgeous, the fields are at least Semi Proof-like, and Liberty is white and frosty. Furthermore, the surfaces which are highly reflective, in years past would have been considered PL or DMPL. But what a difference a decade makes! The bottom line here is quality that you’ll seldom, if ever, encounter on an MS63. |
$213.81 |
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1878 8TF VAM 17 PCGS MS64 (Lot 30003)
Many collectors and investors actively search for 1878 8-TF Morgans in PCGS MS64 holders, since the high quality may well stretch into the MS65 grade range of some other grading services. And that, simply put, is the appeal of this gorgeous VAM 17 8-TF example. Liberty’s cheek is clean, white and frosty, and in person the entire coin has the “look” of a top quality MS65 specimen. Our camera just can’t do it justice, but the surfaces are quite attractive and there’s golden brown toning around the periphery. Taking everything into account, putting this outstanding MS64 8-TF specimen away for the future is certainly warranted. |
$337.50 |
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1878 7/8TF VAM 38 PCGS MS63 (Lot 30005)
The 1878-P 7/8-TF set has gained a lot of popularity over the last decade. And of course, every collector who’s putting together a non-variety set of Morgan dollars needs one to complete his set, as well. The VAM 38 shows five distinct tail-feather tips under the primary set of seven, so this variety is sometimes referred to as a “7/5”-TF variety. The significance of five extra TF tips is that PCGS labels it a “strong” 7/8, which often brings more money in the marketplace. Nice and frosty! |
$230.63 |
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1880-O VAM 48 PCGS MS62 (Lot 30008)
You’ve got to love a coin with the moniker, “Hangnail” variety. With its easy-to-see die gouge feature on the reverse, collectors have been flocking to the VAM 48 since the early days of VAM collecting. The only thing that’s happened over the years is the VAM number was changed from 1A to VAM 48, when it was discovered the reverse is a doubled die. 1880-O is a scarcer date in its own right, so this specimen with its shimmering luster would likely be worth more the Reserve here, even if it wasn’t the ultlra-popular “Hangnail” variety! |
$225.00 |
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1880-S VAM 9 NGC MS66 (Lot 30009)
Among the five primary 1880-S overdates, the VAM 9 is the second hardest to find. And of the two that share the same obverse, VAMs 8 and 9, the VAM 9 has turned out to be more elusive. But forgetting about their scarcity for a moment, how often do you see NGC MS66 examples of any Morgan dollar? This one is a white, lustrous, eye-popping specimen that’s worthy of the finest collection. VAMVIEW lists an MS65 VAM 9 at $700, so this NGC MS66 could be worth double that! |
$393.75 |
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1881-O VAM 1D PCGS XF45 (Lot 30010)
Seeing the reserved Miss Liberty with a “Pummeled Eye” is surely more than a bit surprising. In fact, there isn’t another variety in the Morgan dollar series quite like this one! When the 1881-O VAM 1D was first discovered, what appeared at first to be damage to the struck coin was soon determined to be damage to the die itself. And while the circumstances of these markings remain unknown, the result is certainly spectacular. The cutting-edge news is that PCGS now has a HIT LIST 40 Registry Set, and we anticipate a rush to acquire very scarce varieties like this one. |
$241.88 |
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1881-O VAM 5 PCGS MS63 (Lot 30011)
The 1881-O VAM 5 is one of those unusual varieties that seem to draw controversy whenever it appears. Years ago Bill Fivaz started the furor when he expressed his view (which was shared by many collectors) that the diagonal bar inside the “O” mintmark was actually the remains of an underlying “O/S.” Van Allen disagreed and insisted it was a die gouge. Whatever your view, the 1881-O VAM 5 is an interesting variety, and for this reason was included in the recently released Hit List 40 Book. But what’s really amazing is the condition of the VAM 5 offered here, which in addition to its frosty obverse devices, has semi Proof-Like fields, and super eye appeal. |
$225.00 |
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1884-O VAM 25 PCGS MS62 (Lot 30013)
So-called “Misplaced Dates” are produced by one or more mis-positioned digits from the date winding up in the denticles of the obverse design. Engraver error is the likely culprit, but the circumstances are unclear. The 1884-O VAM 25 is one example of this phenomenon, where, if you look just right, there is a raised artifact in the denticles below the second “8” in the date. There are a few contact marks on the obverse, which account for the grade, but the luster and just about every other feature point toward an MS63 or better grade. Here, the buyer is getting an interesting variety and lots of coin for the money! |
$101.25 |
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1884-O VAM 35 PCGS MS64 (Lot 30014)
The 1884-O VAM 35 is a HOT 50 variety that showcases a lightly doubled eyelid on Liberty. It’s not ultra-rare and it’s not ultra-popular, but it has one thing going for it. The VAM 35 is another key component of the HOT 50 listings, and because of this, high grade specimens are in demand. The example offered here shows a few marks on Liberty’s cheek, but the fact remains it is in a PCGS MS64 holder with the VAM number on the label. Even under an “economy” submission to PCGS, the cost would be $18, plus another $24 for the label, plus postage both ways, the sum of which approaches $50. In any case, this lustrous specimen is certainly priced right. |
$112.50 |
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1885-P VAM 22 PCGS MS63 (Lot 30015)
With few exceptions, “Dash” varieties don’t create much of a stir in the numismatic community, since it is believed that coin engravers marked every die with a “dash” to correctly position the date onto the die. But in terms of popularity, the 1885-P VAM 22 is a notable exception, since the space between the “dash” and the “8” above it has broken out, resulting in a huge artifact below the “8” numeral. On this VAM 22 specimen, there is some contact on Liberty’s cheek consistent with the grade, but overall it’s a solid MS63 example of this scarce HIT LIST 40 variety. |
$337.50 |
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1886-P VAM 1A PCGS MS65 (Lot 30016)
The 1886-P VAM 1A with its die gouge across the top inside loop of the “6” in the date was a popular variety long before the TOP 100 Book was released. It may be a bit less popular now, but as part of the TOP 100 it remains a “must have” variety to complete a PCGS Registry Set. And this specimen is everything you’d want in a Gem BU MS65 example. Liberty’s cheek is frosty and without any significant marks, and the rest of the coin is superb, as well. In fact, it would not be at all surprising to find this specimen in an MS66 holder sometime in the future. White and lustrous. |
$309.38 |
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1886-O VAM 1A (1-Clash) PCGS AU55 (Lot 30017)
In terms of clashed dies in the Morgan dollar series, the “E on Reverse” varieties sit at the head of the class. They’ve always been on top, and no doubt will remain so. And one of the most important Clashed “E” varieties is the 1886-O VAM 1A, which comes with three different clashing configurations. There are 1-Clash, 2-Clash and 7-Clash examples, and as specialists know, the 1-Clash reverse is much rarer than the other two. Most importantly, the specimen offered here is one of the best 1-Clash specimens we’ve ever encountered. The luster is full, the strike is sharp and many would grade the frosty reverse as Mint State. All in all, this is a rare opportunity to acquire a remarkable 1-Clash 1886-O VAM 1A. |
$445.53 |
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1887-O VAM 2 ANACS MS62 (Lot 30019)
This particular variety, the 1887-O VAM 2, is one of the more under-valued elements of the TOP 100 listings. Furthermore, the date itself can be elusive, so it’s a winning combination. This VAM 2 example displays excellent luster and lots of eye appeal, and is one of the few1887-O VAM 2’s we’ve offered. |
$106.88 |
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1888-O VAM 17 ANACS AU55 (Lot 30021)
The 1888-O VAM 17 is one of only a few varieties struck in 1888 at the New Orleans Mint with an “Oval O” mintmark, rather than the proscribed “Round O.” This anomaly has fascinated collectors for the past three decades, and demand for these varieties has grown exponentially. So, no one should be surprised that the price of these highly coveted varieties has kept up with their burgeoning popularity. This VAM 17 example shows lots of detail and is particularly nice for the grade. |
$125.00 |
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1892-O VAM 5(7) PCGS AU53 (Lot 30025)
Here’s a variety that really hasn’t crossed the radar screen of most collectors. That’s because the 1892-O “Doubled Ear” VAM 5 is a rare critter that’s rarely encountered, and when it is, the grade is seldom above XF. That’s what makes this PCGS AU53 coin so desirable. But along the way there’s been some confusion, and it should be noted that the VAM number has been changed by Van Allen from VAM 7 (as listed in the VAM Book) to VAM 5. But more importantly, this is an undervalued TOP 100 variety that’s very scarce in AU and extremely difficult to find in Mint State. Indeed, excellent detail and strong luster make this example quite appealing. |
$200.85 |
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1900-O VAM 29A PCGS VF35 (Lot 30026)
As long as this cataloger can remember, the 1900-O VAM 29A, with its spectacular die break under the first digits of the date, has been prized by VAM specialists. Not only is the VAM 29A rare as a variety, the challenge is to find one that grades above Good or Fine. We’re not sure what happened, but the variety may have been released early in the year, and nearly all of the specimens, including these late die states, ultimately endured heavy circulation wear. In terms of condition, this specimen is a bit dark, but on another day it could easily be graded XF40. So, we’ll call it “solid for the grade.” |
$196.88 |
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1900-S Unattributed PCGS MS64 (Lot 30027)
Here’s one we just couldn’t resist! If quality is your thing, then this 1900-S monster in a PCGS MS64 holder is the specimen you’ve been waiting for. This beauty has white, frosty devices and semi Proof-like fields, and without doubt, is the finest 1900-S we’ve handled. No photo can do it justice. And what about the variety? With a coin like this, we never even looked. Suffice it to say that this conservatively graded, top-end specimen would be almost impossible to improve upon. |
$478.13 |
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1902-O VAM 25 PCGS MS64 (Lot 30028)
Here is a gorgeous 1902-O VAM 25 specimen for those who collectors who are attracted to dramatic “Doubled Ear” varieties in the Morgan dollar series (and there are a lot of them!). This Hit List 40 specimen has a creamy, lustrous cheek that at first glance has to be graded at least MS66! In fact, considering how attractive the rest of the coin is, MS64 is an ultra-conservative grade for this amazing example, with its frosty surfaces and lack of distracting marks. |
$140.63 |
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1921-D VAM 1N PCGS MS62 (Lot 30030)
1921-D Morgan dollars represent some of the most fertile ground in the Morgan dollar series for those who collect Die Break varieties. And one of the most desirable is the 1921-D VAM 1N “Unicorn” variety. Beginning as a Die Break arcing up from the D in UNITED, the reverse die finally broke at that location and shifted, so that a raised “cud” Die Break formed along the tops of the letters in UNITED up to the rim. This example shows contact consistent with the grade, but has solid luster. |
$146.28 |
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1922-P VAM 2A PCGS AU53 (Lot 30032)
One of the most dramatic Die Breaks in the Peace dollar series is this superstar variety, the 1922-P VAM 2A. Fondly called the “Ear Ring” variety by collectors, the VAM 2A displays a monster break that starts in Liberty’s hair and proceeds down onto her face. Often, one glance at a VAM 2A is enough to hook even non-variety collectors on Peace dollar Die Breaks! And because this ultra-late die state is so rare, its appearance at a coin show or auction can produce frenzied excitement. This brings us to the PCGS AU53 specimen offered here, with its excellent luster, strong detail and super-attractive surfaces. Here’s one worth putting away for future appreciation. |
$309.38 |
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*Price includes the buyers premium.
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