1889 VAM-19A "Barwing" - Need Help

Nate, wouldn't this possibly be proof of the existence of a 19a without the crack to clarify the line darth has highlighted in red above? If it confused him others may be confused too but now there may be proof of 19a specimens without the crack. I wasn't thinking a new designation, just clarification.

Yeah, I'll get a macro shot when I have it in hand.




So the "barwing" is the key feature of this VAM, regardless of what other anomaly may appear on the coin. I get the logic, but wouldn't it make sense to call this VAM without the die crack a 19A and with the die crack a 19B? To me, the presence or absence of a die crack is a major difference.

Here is an example that may or may not help. Please consider the 1883-O VAM-39, listed as having "Date Digits in Denticles, Die Flake in 8." Now if you take a look at the VAM-39A page, you will notice that the only difference in the listing is that this late die state was listable due to the addition of a doubled ear, which is often a result of die wear. When you look at the full coin photos on the page, you may notice that the 39A shows a die crack that circles most of the obverse die, though being as though it is just a crack and not a break, it is not listable as such - it was the doubled ear that differentiates this die state from its earlier die state: the VAM-39. If one were to find a coin of the VAM-39 die pairing that has the cracks, but no doubled ear has formed, technically speaking, it would be referred to as a VAM-39 LDS (Late Die State), and some may even be inclined to call it a VAM-39A EDS (Early Die State). Die cracks are generally used as "markers" to identify certain coins and also to determine relative die states of coins, but are never listable without a break.
http://www.vamworld.com/1883-O+VAM-39
http://www.vamworld.com/1883-O+VAM-39A

Check out this cool breaker: http://www.vamworld.com/1885-O+VAM-25A
The breaks on this coin are different from the type of break on the "barwing." If there is an earlier die state of this with all of the cracks, but no breaks, it would be called a VAM-25 LDS or 25A EDS depending upon the attributor. I hope this helps!

No problem.. glad I could help! I was not sure if I was being clear or not, but it seems my post was easy to understand.. or at least relatively! Nice coin, congrats ;)

Can I assume this is a lesson about not posting about a coin until you actually get it in hand? Or did I miss something?

Calm down, and don't be a jerk. Life's too short to get butt-hurt over trivial things. If you'll read the text in red, bold letters above, that is the reason for this post. Read first, then comment. Just a suggestion. Please excuse me for wanting to learn more about VAMs.

I would wager the seller's photos are just harshly over-exposed. Text book 19A Darth.