Vam guys...Seeing stars. How many times...

boston

were these stars impressed into the die?

This is an 1878 Morgan type II/I obverse.

I was thinking it was a vam 18 at first, but these stars seem to appear quadrupled, at least.
The doubling in many areas (both sides), appears in more places and stronger than in the description.

Please explain your count. I really want to understand and learn how to recognize multiple die strikes.

Extra. How many "E"s?

Thanks,
Bob

dwssws

any pics of whole coin obverse and reverse

boston

Don't have a camera. Scanner won't do.
It came from Heritage. Their pics didn't show how nice
the doubling (plus) is all over this coin. Both sides.
The rev. is A2/A1 and has plenty of berries. (see pic)

Bob

boston

ttt

Hoping for some input.


Bob

Rampage

I don't have an answer, but it is cool looking.

boston

Might just add this pic also.

Pretty good nose booger too!

VamGuy

Bob,

If it came from Heritage then it's still in their auction archives. Perhaps if you supplied a link to the closed auction, or at least the original auction & lot numbers, then somebody here might be able to identify the coin for you.

boston

I'll try the link. The Heritage pics don't show the great doubling, which is why
the VAM 18 doesn't seem to be the one.

I can only do the close-up pics.

boston

Since I can't link it correctly...

Heritage auction #389, lot:8268, Nov 7

The pics got my attention, so I went for it.

Bob

VamGuy

Link

Your coin is indeed the VAM 18.

boston

Thanks VamGuy.

I tried the archives and went through the encyclopedia and updates,
but couldn't find the info to collaborate the VAM 18.

The stars still have me wondering. They do appear 4x rather than 3x. Some of the stars on the right also
appear as 3x, rather than 2x.

This coin has super doubling.

Bob

VamGuy

My pleasure, I'm glad we were able to figure it out. You may want to pick up a copy of the "1878 Morgan Dollar 8TF Attribution Guide" by Jeff Oxman and Les Hartnett. The pics & descriptions are great for attributing all of the 8TF VAMs.

The doubling on the VAM 18 is magnificent. Since the obverse and reverse are actually doubled hubs, there is a tremendous amount of VERY STRONG doubling on both sides of the coin. Additionally, since multiple strikes of each of the two hubs were needed to create the dies, there is the likelyhood of a doubled die as well. So you get a doubled hub/doubled die combination, which is why you are seeing tripling or even quadrupling.