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 Replies: 15 / Views: 2,452 |
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Valued Member
United States
134 Posts |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Do me a favor and have a look at VAM-12; I think your mint mark looks like that. The end of the stem, under the arrowheads, should show doubling that would be a smoking gun. I'm still trying to VAM it. There are a *bunch* of 1881-S's with details which look like pitting to me, and yours doesn't surprise me. Note from the date that it's a pretty late die state; maybe they stuck it on the shelf for a while in case they needed a spare and it pitted then. |
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Valued Member
 United States
134 Posts |
Hi Dave... Did a check on the 12. Not a match. No doubling on the stem. I'm still working on it. I'd picked up two 81-S' yesterday. The other is pitted too; but not a sister pair.
As always, I really appreciate your help.
Steve
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Valued Member
United States
134 Posts |
...almost thought a spiked 8, but upon closer inspection what I thought was possibly the spike in the upper loop of the 8 is actually more pitting.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Yeah, I saw your "spike" (nice images) and came to the same conclusion. On the other hand, the inside of a date punch could look like just about *anything,* as I doubt the area is large enough to polish. So I don't necessarily expect pristine fields inside loops on dates in the first place.
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Valued Member
United States
134 Posts |
Thanks (about the photos)... I agree with you 100% on no expectation of finding pristine fields. There's little question in my mind that this is a later stage; but man o'man, has this ever turned into a head scratcher. I've eliminated all listed VAMs. Cannot see any indicators to point me in any direction. My web search for anything similar being posted anywhere came up flat. What in the heck am I missing here?! I've just started calling her "Freckle Face". Ha-ha.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7390 Posts |
When I was new to vams I thought I had an 1884 o/s. (search old posts here to find it) I was so convinced I wanted to send it to Leroy himself. Long story short, SD pointed me to Variety Slabbing Service. If u have a true head scratcher send it to Johns eagle eye. He'll put it to bed for you or let u know IF its worthy for LVA
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Honestly, I think maybe messydesk should get this one. 1881-S is a true pain to attribute, made worse by the fact that none of them are really valuable (although 54B is pretty cool) so you know all along that it's purely an intellectual exercise. All the same, this data ought to be part of the differential for whatever VAM it is; the pitting is sufficiently extensive to be an identified LDS. I'll ping him. |
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Valued Member
United States
134 Posts |
Thanks, Cascade. Great tip and suggestion! It would take, at least, a few more months before I even considered shipping something off to Mr. Van Allen. Only because I'm an 'odds guy'. Chances are I'm simply missing something here. But, if it continues this way, down the road, I may give it a shot. I'd shoot it over to the VAM World guys and gals first as well, and 'do the process'. I'm going to try later to get a clearer and wider picture of the bust to show you guys just how pitted this thing is. In-hand it's quite a sight, in my most humble opinion. But it is spring break and the kids are running riot. Some 'quiet time' is elusive right now. lol |
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Valued Member
United States
134 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
149 Posts |
Not sure off hand what it is. It is true that 81-S can be a pain to attribute because of all that dang ol' Strike Doubling on the date for so many die pairs. Nobody has done much with a date study on this one, either, so there's probably some misleading and/or ambiguous information on them. Pitting on the bust is nothing I'd call severe, and it shows up on many 81-S dies. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
Good luck! The 81-S is truly difficult. This date is one I don't even try to attribute anymore. All the dies are pretty much the same with very few PUPs that are easy to distinguish. I consider myself a pretty decent VAM attributer and of the 12 MS63 or better 1881-S's that I own I was able to only attribute one positively. All my other Morgans and Peace I was able to attribute (many different dates and MM's)fairly easily, except for a few 21-P Morgans....So again I wish you luck! Edited by 1893S
04/08/2015 12:23 pm
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Valued Member
United States
134 Posts |
With a 12M+ mintage. Very little interest in the year (in general), and very little time dedicated to it, I'm going to need more than luck. Hahaha! My OCD will not let it go though. Need to be distracted by something else shiny. lol
I'm just stuck on the amount of pitting on the bust itself. I purchased 2 other 81-S' along with this one. 1 and 2 (modest pitting on reverse), done with. This one, not so much.
I really appreciate all of the input, all! Thank you!
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Thanks, John. 1881-S is going to be an absolute bear for whoever decides to sit down and devote themselves to the date.
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Valued Member
United States
134 Posts |
"is going to be an absolute bear for whoever decides to sit down and devote themselves to the date."
I am *not* 'that man'. haha
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Valued Member
United States
149 Posts |
Yes, it will be difficult, but made easier by the fact that most 81-S are uncirculated and they're relatively cheap. I recently found myself in the midst of an 81-O study, and with enough coins in front of you, it is possible to make serious progress.
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Replies: 15 / Views: 2,452 |
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Posted 04/07/2015 10:45 am
