September 2018 - Welcome
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Welcome
Die Fingerprints
Of Pirates and Buccaneers
VSS Submissions
We are all caught up on posting things to the web site and now have 944 coins with detailed discussion and high resolution images. Our total images for viewing has hit almost 10,000 and will crest that number later this year.
In our last batch there were no toned coins, but in the next group there will be some coins of interest.
PCGS Submissions
We also have a group of raw coins to send in to PCGS that are all VAMs that they certify. This group has been building for almost a year and will give us a little cushion in case some others don't grade along the way.
The 1,000 Coin Mark
For the past year our goal has been to take the collection to 1,000 coins and see where that gets us with a full set of VAMs for this series. We also keep a Collector's Showcase going on PCGS as a way of seeing just how many graded coins we have since some are always in the works with JB.
Well we have now hit the 1,000 coins in the showcase so our challenge is to get the final coins back from JB for VAM confirmation and photography. Then we take stock of things before moving ahead.
We have a large group of coins to send to VSS when we can package them up and this will put us very close to our 1,000 coin goal.
LVA Submissions
There is one coin in an earlier submission that will need LVA examination when possible. We also want to get some clarification on several VAMs that we think may be duplicates and we will submit these to Leroy also.
Reverse Dies and Associations
Die a - VAMs 1A, 1B1, 1B2, 18, 43, 49
Die b - VAMs 2, 2A, 2B
Die c - VAM 5
Die e - VAMs 7 and 45
Die f - VAM 8
Die g - VAMs 9.1 and 46
Die i - VAMs 11 and 69
Die j - VAM 12
Die k - VAM 13
Die m - VAM 25
Die o - VAMs 36 and 38
Die q - VAM 44
Die s - VAM 62
Reverse Die d
The logical place for us to continue our study is of the reverse dies as we have exhausted the obverse dies for now. So in September we pick back up with this study in that area with Die d.
Die d is associated with only two VAMs, 6 and 6A. The distinguishing difference in the two VAMs is the obverse spike in the upper loop of the first 8 on VAM 6A, and the die with no spike for VAM 6. The common characteristic is the O mint mark tilted left, not a very exciting feature.
This analysis is almost impossible for die cracks because we have only one mint state coin for the two VAMs, and it is a badly toned VAM 6.
VAM 6 - O Tilted Left
20764753 Mint State 60
This Mint State example of VAM 6 shows no reverse die cracks or breaks, but it is a lone example. The obverse die is Die 1, but with no Spike in 8. Larger images for the VAM 6 Die Matrix are shown here.
VAM 6A - Spike in 8, O Tilted Left
28502816 Very Good 08
We have only two examples of VAM 6A and neither is Mint State, so conclusions about die cracks are hard to draw. We will revisit this one when we have some Mint State examples.
When we look at coins that come from treasure hoards we often think of buried treasure, and that can lead us to pirates or buccaneers, and privateers. Our focus on coins can force us to overlook the reality of the life and times in which they lived.
In his book Under the Black Flag, David Cordlingly does a nice job of pulling back the curtain and having us see the real world in which these men (women were the exception and not the rule) operated. Sometimes heroes, and sometimes villains, those who operated at the edge of society led rough and violent lives.
The times were difficult for those who lived within the bounds of society, but for these men everything seems to have been exaggerated. When free life was violent but could also be rewarding. But when captured life was short and often dealt with brutally by the state.
This is an interesting and easily read book that we think is worth the time if you have any interest in the people and wealth that often accompanied their lifestyles.
Making Coins
With some time and a little effort a number of videos can be located on YouTube that explain the current and historical methods of coin making. We located this one and we believe posted it once before, but it is worth another look if you are new to VAMing. This appears to be from the 1940's and the process is about half way between the Morgan Dollar era and today.
The video isn't entirely accurate since they use the term "die" to represent both the hub and die interchangeably, but if you have a little knowledge you can read between the lines.
The video has a lot of useful demonstrations of the Janvier Lathe, annealing ovens, planchet production and preparation, rolling presses, die press, coin press. In this video many of the processes are automated, but the steps are the same as the late 1800's.
It is definitely worth the ten minutes it takes to watch.
Getting Started
Collecting The 1881-O
The 1881-O VAMs