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 Replies: 6 / Views: 1,740 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1582 Posts |
Guys, I recently upgraded my early varieties ('78 and '79) and I thought I'd post them here to see if I have anything special. I know they're VAMs, but I'm not knowledgable enough in that area to know if I have something to shout about, or not.   |
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
This'll be VAM-12, I think. Not a huge rarity, and they're easily available up to MS63. Yours is a *nice* AU, one of those coins which illustrates why some prefer AU55+ to MS61.
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Valued Member
United States
156 Posts |
The die polishing line that extends from the stem of the right hand wreath branch, down to the upper right serif of E of ONE would be unique to the A1f reverse that is paired with the II/I 4 obverse, or VAM 17.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3076 Posts |
this is clearly a VAM 12.... while VAM 12, 16, and 17 share the A1F reverse, where both VAM 12 and 17 shre this die scratch on the reverse, from the bow to the E in dollar,, Its the OBVERSE pairing which is the difference.. and determining factor....Close examination shows the die chips in the eye as in VAM 12, and the die breaks.....dead give away..where as the VAM 17 is an early form which does not have either. but DOES NOT have the die chips in the first 8 of 1878... the determining factor between VAM 12 and VAM 17.... as SD has said, its VAM 12.......this VAM as well as others are determined by the OBV and REV pairings......G |
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Valued Member
United States
156 Posts |
"Close examination shows the die chips in the eye"
Seriously? VAM 12 obverse has several minute die chips on Liberty's portrait in the area fore and aft of the eye, but none in the eye.
Unfortunately my monitor is not able to detect these features. If your monitor shows die chips IN the eye, then we're both incorrect, and a new variety exists. Furthermore,I have examined several high grade examples of VAM 12, and the reverse die stage on these does not have the die scratch seen on VAM 17 reverse.
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Valued Member
United States
156 Posts |
I've just re-examined the reverse of a PCGS MS-64 VAM 12 under high magnification. The die scratch IS present, although very faint. I stand corrected on this point. The obverse of the OP's coin is difficult to interpret on my monitor, thus my incorrect assumption.
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Honestly, although I can see the chips at the eye, I based my opinion of V12 on the precise match of the visible obverse die cracks. The one through the tip of the neck is not a very common location.
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Replies: 6 / Views: 1,740 |
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Posted 07/06/2012 10:32 am
