PCGS VARIETY PROGRAM

1. What varieties will we recognize?
   We are going to start the PCGS Variety Program by doing a limited number of Morgan and Peace Dollar VAMs.
    
2. What is a VAM?
   VAM is an acronym for the authors of the Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan and Peace Dollars, Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis. In their book, they identified and assigned a VAM number for each of the different die pairs used to strike Morgan and Peace dollars. In all there are over 3,000 different VAM numbers.
    
3. What VAMs will we recognize?
   PCGS will attribute 277 Morgan and 52 Peace dollar varieties. Click here for a complete listing.
    
4. Why not do all of the 3,000 VAMs?
   Most of the VAMs are not significant and do not bring a premium over the common variety. The varieties that PCGS will do have been identified by variety collectors as worthy of specific recognition. They are listed in: The Top 100 Morgan Dollar Varieties: The VAM Keys; SSDC Official Guide to the Hot 50 Morgan Dollar Varieties; The Official Guide to the Top 50 Peace Dollars; The 1878 Morgan Dollar 8-TF Attribution Guide; and the VAM book, Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan and Peace Dollars.
    
5. Will the program be expanded to cover more varieties?
   Yes, at a later date. The first expansion of our attribution service will include Fivaz-Stanton Varieties, followed by early type, e.g. Sheldon and Newcomb numbers for Large Cents, Bolender numbers for Bust Dollars, Overton numbers for Bust Halves, Browning numbers for Bust Quarters, etc.
    
6. What will the service cost?
   The cost is $20 added to the level of service utilized. Only four service levels are available for the variety program: Walkthrough & VAM submissions at the PCGS office $120, Express & VAM $70, Regular & VAM $50, and Economy & VAM $38. Crossover submissions are acceptable. Show Service is not available. Variety Review (coins in PCGS holders) to add the VAM number will be $20. (Dealer prices will be $20 added to their service fee price).
    
7. May I mix Varieties with non-varieties on my PCGS submittal?
   No, mixing items will delay the processing of your order.
    
8. Is the Variety Attribution guaranteed?
   Yes.
    
9. What are the turnaround times on Variety submittals?
   In general, add 3-5 days to the turnaround times for service levels associated with Variety submittals. Certain varieties may require consultation with outside experts, in which case turnaround times may be longer. However, PCGS makes every effort to expedite your order in such cases.
    
10. Who can submit coins in the Variety Program?
    PCGS Collectors Club members and PCGS Authorized Dealers can submit coins to PCGS under the Variety Program.
     
11. What Registry Sets do we foresee?
    There are a number of Registry Sets possible (Top 100 set, Hot 50 Set, Top 50 Set, Total Variety Morgan Dollar Set, Total Variety Peace Dollar Set, O/CC Set, 1879-S rev of 78 set, etc.)
     
12. "I have an 1889 Morgan Dollar with a double ear. It is similar to VAM-16 in the HOT 50 Book. Will PCGS attribute this variety for me?"
    No. Only VAMs-16, 18 and 20 listed in the Hot 50 book will be attributed. The remaining double ear varieties for the 1889 dollar will not be attributed. See attachment for a complete listing of the VAMs we recognize at this time. You can visit our website at www.pcgs.com for up-to-date varieties we are recognizing.