Posted 05/28/2023 11:20 am
Hi @Zurie thanks for the help and great direction! I had looked at the VAM-7, but since my coin doesn't exhibit any of the OBV markers I had rejected it. On the OBV I don't see any date doubling, nothing in LIBERTY that matches (no polishing lines in the T or Y, chips in the R, etc.). I moved past it.
On the REV of my coin however, It does share the markers for the VAM-7 REV with the die chip next to the leaves to the right of E. The image for this on VAM-7 includes some very interesting text: "Oct. 2021 this coin was attributed by LVA as 1885-S VAM-1. He commented that the die chip was too small to list so 'VAM-1'. It continues: "In reality - this is a match for the 1885-S VAM-7A save the VAM-7A has a second die chip." My reverse also shares all the other pick ups against the VAM7 REV: the die scratches to the let and right of the left talon, scratch between the neck and the right wing, etc. I don't have the die flake in the left wreath as the VAM-7A does (if I look real hard I see perhaps the faint outline/start of the lowest part of the chip but that is likely my mind playing tricks).
So, it appears that whatever I've got shares the same REV (Reverse III2-6) die as the VAM-7/7-A. but with perhaps the VAM-1 OBV (Obverse III2-1)? I don't think I have a far date (like in VAM-5, Obverse III2-5). I also check the OBV die for the VAM-10 (and 5) -- Obverse III26- if I convince myself there is very slight date doubling, can I find any of the other pick-ups? I cannot find any of the VAM-10 OBV pickups (no lines above the cotton leaf EDS --> LDS), no polishing lines in RTY (EDS --LDS), no polishing lines between the cotton boils (EDS --> LDS).
If it is a combination of the VAM-1 OBV (Obverse III2-1) and the VAM-7 REV (Rev III2-6) that might also explain the note the accompanies the REV MM comment on the VAM-1 page that the MM is "Under Review for MM doubling?"
Gulp, potentially a new VAM?
On the REV of my coin however, It does share the markers for the VAM-7 REV with the die chip next to the leaves to the right of E. The image for this on VAM-7 includes some very interesting text: "Oct. 2021 this coin was attributed by LVA as 1885-S VAM-1. He commented that the die chip was too small to list so 'VAM-1'. It continues: "In reality - this is a match for the 1885-S VAM-7A save the VAM-7A has a second die chip." My reverse also shares all the other pick ups against the VAM7 REV: the die scratches to the let and right of the left talon, scratch between the neck and the right wing, etc. I don't have the die flake in the left wreath as the VAM-7A does (if I look real hard I see perhaps the faint outline/start of the lowest part of the chip but that is likely my mind playing tricks).
So, it appears that whatever I've got shares the same REV (Reverse III2-6) die as the VAM-7/7-A. but with perhaps the VAM-1 OBV (Obverse III2-1)? I don't think I have a far date (like in VAM-5, Obverse III2-5). I also check the OBV die for the VAM-10 (and 5) -- Obverse III26- if I convince myself there is very slight date doubling, can I find any of the other pick-ups? I cannot find any of the VAM-10 OBV pickups (no lines above the cotton leaf EDS --> LDS), no polishing lines in RTY (EDS --LDS), no polishing lines between the cotton boils (EDS --> LDS).
If it is a combination of the VAM-1 OBV (Obverse III2-1) and the VAM-7 REV (Rev III2-6) that might also explain the note the accompanies the REV MM comment on the VAM-1 page that the MM is "Under Review for MM doubling?"
Gulp, potentially a new VAM?
I too would like close ups so I can take a stab at this beauty of a coin.
