VAM is a die-variety classification system for Morgan and Peace silver dollars, named for researchers Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis, whose foundational reference was first published in 1971. Each VAM number identifies a specific obverse-and-reverse die pairing distinguished by die-state characteristics — doubled dies, repunched mintmarks, die cracks, polishing patterns, and other features. Top VAM varieties (the Top 100 and Hot 50 lists) command significant premiums.

VAM is a varietal classification system for Morgan silver dollars, named after its creators Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis, whose comprehensive reference catalogue published in 1971 remains the standard work on Morgan and Peace dollar die varieties. The VAM system catalogues the small differences between dies used at the various United States mints during the Morgan dollar production runs from 1878 to 1921, identifying each unique die pairing with a numerical designation.

For collectors, VAM numbers turn an otherwise common Morgan dollar into a focused specialty. Certain VAMs — VAM-4 1878 8 Tail Feathers, VAM-1B 1878-CC, the famous “Hot 50” and “Top 100” lists compiled by VAM specialists — command significant premiums over ordinary examples of the same date and mint. Identifying a VAM requires examining specific diagnostic markers under magnification, and many graded Morgans are now slabbed with their VAM number on the label. See our most valuable Morgan dollars list for variety-driven entries.