Rarity of 1889 VAM-19B Barwing, Clashed n.

Buddyboy

I just picked up an example of this coin in PCGS MS-64. I checked Ashmore's site for more information on the variety and read that the VAM-19A Barwing has a variety factor of 6 and the clashed n VAM-19B has a rarity factor of 5. This seems odd, as I would have thought that a clashed example would have been rarer. Does anyone have a comment? Or can set me straight?
Thanks,
Bud

nesvt

The 19A is a later die die state. The 19B came first. However, the 19A was identified first and published in the VAM Book (originally as the 5A).

I sent Leroy Van Allen several 1889's recently. They included a clashed n without a barwing, barwings with clashes, and larger barwings. I thought if it had a clashed n AND a barwing, it was a 19B. If it has a barwing, it's a 19A.

Leroy wrote - "VAM 5A was changed to VAM 19A which had been listed & pictured in VAM book, so can't change listing now.". So 19B is first, 19A is later with the barwing.

Buddyboy

Norm,
Thanks for the info. We can suppose then that the clash episode which caused the "n" transfer was the start of what became the "bar" die break over the wing. BTW, my coin looks exactly like the LDS example picture in VAMworld.
Bud