VAM Silver Dollars

VAM is an acronym for Van Allen and Mallis, the authors of an extensive reference encyclopedia on Morgan and Peace dollar coins.

Morgan dollars had varieties and errors produced at any of the three major steps in the production of coins; fabrication of the planchets, making the dies, or striking the coins. However, the production of Morgan dollars underwent many more individual inspections by mint personnel than is customary nowadays with thte more automated equipment. As a result, very few Morgan dollar planchet and striking errors were let out of the mints compared to modern coins . . . -- Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan and Peace Dollars, by Leroy C. Van Allen and A. George Mallis (4th ed., 1991)