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 Replies: 9 / Views: 1,605 |
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New Member
United States
31 Posts |
Hello all,  I have a question about the 1880-P's with reverse gouge through bow:   My question is: How do I tell the difference between the vam-39 obverse and the vam-1A1 obverse? they look the same, aren't they the same obverse? seems like nothing special about it to tell the difference between the two. Thanks 
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Pillar of the Community
United States
709 Posts |
Per John Goldsmith, a prominent vammer down in Alabama.
VAM-39, 39A
A VAM-39/39A hair curl to the forehead is weaker; 1A1/1A2 is very strong.
A 39/39A has a crack from the neck to the arch of the 1.
A 39/39A has a die scratch in the designer initials on the obverse.
A 39/39A has a die scratch lower part of the eye.
A 39/39A has polishing lines between the Cotton Bolls.
A 39/39A leaf is weaker right at the point of touching the cap.
VAM-1A, 1A1, 1A2
A VAM-1A1/1A has an obverse crack from the neck to the point of the 1.
Also a faint crack is from the neck to the first star left side.
A 1A1/1A2 scratch on the lower part of the eye goes upwards.
A 1A1/1A2 leaf right at the point of touching the cap is very strong and complete.
A 1A1/1A2 has a die scratch in the top of the T in Liberty
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New Member
 United States
31 Posts |
Thank you Ozland. Did this john goldsmith person write a book on vams or something like that? he sounds very knowledgeable.
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Pillar of the Community
3660 Posts |
No, he doesn't write numismatic books, but he is quite the collector, and just one heck of a great guy, a clown for all seasons.... I never could get straight answers out of him on anything except when it came to the 1878 S long nocks... He has them all, and although there are not too many varieties, some of them are exceptionally difficult to come by.... He knows his stuff, and I really like him a lot.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
709 Posts |
It's a toss up between Smitty and Goldsmith. Each has a small mini hoard of these. So let's just say each has many examples to have done a comparative study.
Edited by Ozland
12/31/2010 5:06 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
709 Posts |
Here is the die sequence: VAM-1A1
VAM-1A2 EDS
VAM-1A2 LDS
VAM-39
VAM-39A
1A1 is no crack from rim to 8
1A2 EDS is crack from rim to bottom of 8
1A2 LDS is crack from rim past 8 to neck
Then you have the 39's
I hope this answers your question.
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New Member
United States
31 Posts |
Thank you Ozland, I have one more question: are the 39 & 39a exactly the same except for the clashing with a clashed E? is the clashing the only difference between the two?
thank
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Pillar of the Community
United States
709 Posts |
VAM 39 A is the later die state of VAM-39. Clashed die with partial t of Trust from reverse showing in right hair vee of lower hair edge. Clashed die with partial E from obverse LIBERTY below eagles tail feathers on left side. Only top back and weak middle serif of E shows. Faint partial raised designers initial M from obverse showing above space between d and W of God We. Horizontal die break through wreath bow of VAM-1A. I don't have a VAM 39 but I believe both VAM 39 and VAM 39 A are clashed. It differentiates to VAM 39 A with the partial letter transfer (E) and designers initial (M).
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Valued Member
United States
133 Posts |
They both used the same reverse with the 1A being minted first. The obverse dies are different, so use Goldsmith's tips on telling them apart. The 39 is NOT clashed in its original state. Once the letter features are no longer visible or have been cleaned up by the mint, the coin reverts back to the first attribution, such as 39 in this case.
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New Member
United States
31 Posts |
Thank you everyone for the help. Thanks & happy new year.
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Replies: 9 / Views: 1,605 |
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Posted 12/31/2010 3:45 pm
