Request help with a VAM identification (possibly) 0

[ChuckRayl]

Greetings everyone, I'd like to solicit your expertise in making a identification of a Morgan VAM. I think this 1892-S may have a S/S on the reverse, but it may be crud built up on the coin. The VAM designation would be VAM-5 S/S. I'll throw it out there for your critical review and look forward to your comments. Cheers, Chuck

[Woods020]

Welcome Chuck. Out of curiosity where did you buy this coin?

[ChuckRayl]

Woods020, Thanks for your question. I couldn't find a receipt for this coin. However, in my "Guide Book of Morgan Silver Dollars" I have hand written, "6/14/2013 $48.06" in the margin on the page for the 1892-S. I travel for work, so occasionally I'll visit coin shops in different cities when I'm on the road. I'm assuming since the amount was not an even dollar amount, I purchased this coin on one of my trips and had to pay local sales tax. What's your thoughts or concerns? Cheers, Chuck

[ChuckRayl]

Additional information: The coin weighed in at 26.4 grams and measured 38 mm diameter. With the condition and wear shown in the pictures, I'm thinking these are reasonable numbers.

[Woods020]

Dimensions are within range, but I don’t like the look of it. I wouldn’t swear to it, but it’s questionable to me. Others may chime in and disagree, but I would have authenticity concerns from the pics. 

[Woods020]

And I just noticed the price you said you paid. For that price I’m very confident it is a counterfeit. 

[ChuckRayl]

Woods020, I'll hold this one out until I can get my Sigma tester back from a friend. It wasn't attracted to a magnet, but more investigation is in order. If in the end it's counterfeit, I'll consider myself lucky it was only $48. I'm grateful for your help. Regards, Chuck

[Woods020]

On 1/16/2022 at 1:54 PM, ChuckRayl said:

Woods020, I'll hold this one out until I can get my Sigma tester back from a friend. It wasn't attracted to a magnet, but more investigation is in order. If in the end it's counterfeit, I'll consider myself lucky it was only $48. I'm grateful for your help. Regards, Chuck

Let us know if it tests silver. Hopefully I’m wrong. 

[Hinkle]

On 1/16/2022 at 11:15 AM, ChuckRayl said:

 I purchased this coin on one of my trips and had to pay local sales tax. What's your thoughts or concerns? Cheers, Chuck

In my neck of the woods, nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming by state law can't charge sales tax on siver coins. Interesting ,wondering what state that was.

[Woods020]

On 1/16/2022 at 2:47 PM, Hinkle said:

In my neck of the woods, nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming by state law can't charge sales tax on siver coins. Interesting ,wondering what state that was.

It varies by state. Several do charge tax. 

[J P M]

On the reverse the Parrot Head bothers me. ( No offence Jimmy Buffet )  Massachusetts charges tax if you are breathing.  

[ChuckRayl]

JP Mashoke, You are correct sir. I have bought coins from the Bay State Coin Co. in downtown Boston MA. And yes, they did charge me local sales tax.   Friendly and polite though.

[ChuckRayl]

Hinkle, I live in Tennessee and they do charge sales tax on precious metals. Cheers, Chuck

https://revenue.support.tn.gov/hc/en-us/articles/360058685571-SUT-121-Bullion-or-Gold-and-Silver-Coins

[J P M]

On 1/16/2022 at 5:30 PM, ChuckRayl said:

Hinkle, I live in Tennessee and they do charge sales tax on precious metals. Cheers, Chuck

https://revenue.support.tn.gov/hc/en-us/articles/360058685571-SUT-121-Bullion-or-Gold-and-Silver-Coins

I have got some nice coins in Nashville at the CoinpursE and tax they do. 

[ChuckRayl]

On 1/16/2022 at 2:24 PM, Woods020 said:

Let us know if it tests silver. Hopefully I’m wrong. 

I finally got my Sigma Metalytics tester back and sure enough, this coin tested dead center for a Pre-1900 silver coin.

 

[Coinbuf]

Back to the original question, I do not think this is a match for VAM5.

[JT2]

I do not think it is a VAM 5 ... is that PVC residue?  maybe with that removed it would be easier to determain  

[jimbo27]

In your second photo the S looks like it was hit with something and, smashed it flat. No doubling imo.

Edited March 6, 2022 by jimbo27

[RWB]

Why not post on VAMworld.com?

[ChuckRayl]

On 3/6/2022 at 4:32 PM, RWB said:

Why not post on VAMworld.com?

I could do that. Thanks!

[ChuckRayl]

On 3/6/2022 at 2:28 PM, JT2 said:

I do not think it is a VAM 5 ... is that PVC residue?  maybe with that removed it would be easier to determain  

Not being trained in conservation procedures, I'd be afraid I would do something that could damage it. Perhaps I'll just send it in and have NGC do the conservation work.

[RWB]

On 3/10/2022 at 2:27 PM, ChuckRayl said:

Not being trained in conservation procedures, I'd be afraid I would do something that could damage it. Perhaps I'll just send it in and have NGC do the conservation work.

Just keep in mind the cost of conservation and grading vs the coins FMV of about $350 in that condition (VF).

Edited March 10, 2022 by RWB

[Woods020]

I was clearly wrong on this coin. Atleast to the extent it’s silver content is spot on. Maybe it’s the toning or whatever it is but I still just don’t like the look of this one. I’m happy to be wrong and I’m glad it worked out for the OP.