1878 P VAM, can't figure this one out

RVDavis

Spending a nice afternoon look through recent coin acquisitions. I've found some nice VAMs. This one is baffling me, can't find it in the book or updates.

Standard 7 TF third reverse, nothing unusual there.


Doubled and trippled stars.
Date has 78 doubled with notches on the 7.
Looks like a second eyelid under the primary.
The cheek looks bagmarked, also above/behind the eye but them I am think perhaps a strikethrough.

Guesses appreciated.

Happy new year to all.

Rick

jdsinva

Looking at your pictures, this coin has the II/I obverse (note the inner ear), so if this is a C reverse Morgan then this will narrow down the possibilities. There's an interesting mark in the back of the eye but that may be a bag mark or something. In front of the eye there appears to be a little clashing. Let's see a picture of the top of the headdress and RIB in PLURIBUS to see if we can confirm or rule out some other possibilities.

Jeff

RVDavis

Jeff here you go. Yes, it is the C reverse.

Under the eyelid really does not look like a clash. Above the eye and in the cheek look like bagmarks but then again, the image of reeding in both of those is quite strong. I have about 175 1878 P Morgans and this one is really stumping me.

Thanks for your help.

Rick

jdsinva

It appears to me that you have the VAM 220 (Triple R in RIB), which is the same obverse as VAM 171. This is a Top 100 coin and a tough coin to acquire.

Jeff

RVDavis

Wow thanks a lot Jeff. I don't have much experience with the third reverse VAMs. Top 100 is a good find and it looks to be in low mint state. Appreciate your input.

RVDavis

I looked at NGC and see they have never graded an 1878 VAM 220 in mint state. I might have to go and have this thing slabbed.

jdsinva

Fey's price guide shows no trades handled for this coin above MS60 and the old Top 100 booklet shows an MS62 so evidently there are a few MS coins out there. But if you think about it, since this VAM has the II/I obverse normally found with the B reverse, this would indicate it was one of the early strikes for the C reverse and probably not many were struck with this die combination since the obverse die was being reused and likely wore out well ahead of the reverse die.

Jeff

RVDavis

Thanks for the reserach Jeff.