1879-S Paf Morgan

Without the coin in-hand this is becoming an exercise in futility for me.

Here's what we have/don't have so far on this coin: 1879-S, rev of 78 (PAF) that meets weight stds., Open '9', broken 'r' in Trust (lower part of upper crossbar remains). Some doubling on the obverse motto E PLURIBUS UNUM (seen in the 'P' and 'S'). Raised metal (not apparent post-mint damage) on the left of 'P' (This is not a diagnostic for any 79-S PAF VAM).

Now what we don't have: Die crack in bonnet, over-polishing at designer's initial.

b-17 you'll need to reduce the list of possibles by only reviewing those with an open '9' and broken 'R'. Then from this list use the microscope and look for key diagnostics that support or eliminate your example. I recommend the microscope because some of these are very subtle. When looking for doubling and die scratches/gouges, rotate the coin in the light to view from various angles as these seem to disappear and then appear relative to the light source.

Or you could say ... what the hey! We gave it a try and move on. I can't do that and this will haunt me until solved

There is one more alternative ... you could join in over at VAMWorld and post these pictures for their review and attribution. I consider myself an above average attributor, but those guys are scary good! Your call!

Agreed. An Open 9 and broken r leave this as the only choice. There's a little more of the "r" remaining than most pics of VAM-34 depict, but that's a fragile-enough feature to expect a progression, or a fill, over the life of the die.

I find it interesting that Vampicker refers to the Open/Closed 9 issue as "moot." He's an authority of such stature that I won't question his opinion; it just leaves me wondering - is VAM-39 Open or Closed? It can't be both, because two different dies don't equate to one VAM. VAMworld says VAM-39 is Closed; your coin is Open. I'm left with the question, "Can Closed 9's become Open 9's in early/late die state, or due to a die fill?"

Apparently so.

I will say I have been reading this topic and a few things strike me, 1st SeatedNut you have come a long, long way, very well versed.SuperDave, you are also a very well versed Morgan specialist, being you had one of the sweetest Morgan collections known.
I will also say MorgansRmine, you have shown me a thing or two and I do not wish to take anything away from other's on this or another site, I have always known you to be "the resident Morgan specialist", while I am still a lover of this coin with Mary's face on the obverse, I have not kept up as you all have on this addicting portion of collecting Morgan silver dollars, I have faith in the ability of this Family to diagnose this or most any other VAM attributions, Mike....PS: B17 commander, could you please post a picture or two of the reverse,one of the 1st things I was taught to help in diagnose or attribute the coin, Thanks...

Consider what it takes to make a die "closed." Metal has to leave the building, so to speak. The field of the coin is raised in a "Closed" 9, so there has to be a void in the die. That void will not be replaced during the life of the die, save by a random piece of schtuff or a Grease Fill. Conversely, an "Open" die could become a "Closed" die by the simple expedient of a thin, weak area of a die collapsing. I don't see this as any great intellectual leap, and it leads to the concept that both Open and Closed versions of a VAM could be from the same die. The "Closed" would be the LDS.

More pictures

IMO, The fact that the wheat stalks have the similar die gouges or polishing lines, as a Vam39, maybe not exact, and the gouge or polishing marks between the letters t and y, are not visible and I still do not see a "complete" photo of the obverse and reverse, nice close ups but really need to see the entire coin's reverse, that said I would concur with the coin being an EDS of a VAM 39, this is just my opinion and all based on the information given and the close up pictures.

I am brain dead, found your pictures, very clear and sharp, ....