1879 S Rev 1878 VAM question UPDATED ANSWERS

clevegreg · October 24, 2005 3:00AM

I have a 1879 S rev 1878 Morgan in an original PCGS rattler holder that I hope someone can help me with. The reverse is prooflike, and a VAM 5 "broken r"( VAM book version 4).

The obverse has me intrigued. The nostril appears to be doubled, or perhaps re-engraved, and also has a small die polish line from the top inside of the upper nostril to the top of the lip. I cant get a close-up of any quality, but wondering if anyone has heard of such an animal as nothing I can find describes such a feature.

Thanks,

Greg

Rampage · October 24, 2005 3:11AM

Can you post a picture? On the R, is it completely broke? Or is the bottom of the arm present and top missing? Are there die polish lines in the T of LIBERTY? Is there a die chip between the TY of LIBERTY? We really need a picture.

Wolf359 · October 24, 2005 3:16AM

Here's a start. Which kind of broken r is it? Scoll down

clevegreg · October 24, 2005 3:23AM

It is the partially broken serif in r. It has some die polish on T , and appears to have a die chip between T and Y....

wam98 · October 24, 2005 5:45AM

Greg, does your coin have die polish lines in the T like this one ?
VAM-34

messydesk · October 24, 2005 7:32AM

Sounds like VAM 42. Common 79-S Rev. of 78 variety. Die chip between TY and outlined arm of 'r' in trust are the diags for this variety.

clevegreg · October 24, 2005 8:57AM

All of the die polish in the T is on the top right of the letter, none in the base.

As I mentioned before, and I wish I had a good camera, there appears to be a double nostril line, like it was re-engraved. There is also a fairly distint die polish line that starts at the top of the upper nostril, about midway across, and continues down to the upper lip. I just find this feature to be starnge since I don't see it on any of the other similar coins.

Thanks for your help, I guess I need to get the 79s rev 78 VAM book.

Greg

wam98 · October 24, 2005 9:07AM

Greg, what your describing sounds like VAM-42 that Messydesk mentioned.

clevegreg · October 24, 2005 9:48AM

OK Thanks !

nesvt · October 24, 2005 9:53AM

As a strange coincidence, I'm looking at two 1879-S REV 78 right now. I was trying to attribute them. I see the line in the nostril that you described. It's on both of my coins. I think it's the III-2-6 obverse. I'd be glad to take some pictures if it would help. I have two different reverses. I think one coin is a VAM 25 and the other a 46. Unfortunately my coins look like they've been cleaned... and not very well. Still some PVC on them.

clevegreg · October 24, 2005 10:19AM

I would love to see 'em if it's not too much trouble.

Greg

nesvt · October 24, 2005 11:27AM

<< <i>I would love to see 'em if it's not too much trouble. >>

No trouble. Here are some close-ups. I'm changing my opinion though... I think I have a VAM 25 and a VAM 42 (not 46).

On what I think is a VAM 25, there are several die gouges on both wings. I see that thin line through the nose on both coins. Both coins have a chip between the T and Y in LIBERTY.

On what may be a VAM 42, there's also a small die scratch in the eagle's tail feathers. Check your coin to see if you have the same line. I can see a die flake at the top outside of the 9.

I'm not an expert on these. Hopefully one of the experts can jump in and verify the attributions.

VAM 25 TRUST
VAM 25 Left Wing
VAM 25 Right Wing
VAM 25 Date and Hairvee
VAM 25 Nose
VAM 25 T-Y chip

VAM 42 TRUST
VAM 42 Dots Left Wing
VAM 42 Right Wing
VAM 42 Tail Feathers line
VAM 42 Date
VAM 42 T-Y chip

clevegreg · October 24, 2005 11:37AM

Great pics!

messydesk · October 24, 2005 11:38AM

1 for 2. The one you thought was VAM 25 is VAM 52. VAM 25 has the same obverse, but has pitting in the eagle's right wing instead of the big gouges in the left. Incidentally, as I mentioned to Greg in an e-mail, you can't attribute these accurately using only the VAM book, since most, if not all, of these were clarified or corrected more recently by Dave Wang. The corrected information is in a book he has published (not sure on availability), in Leroy's supplements, and in my PC software.

nesvt · October 24, 2005 11:54AM

Thanks John. I think.... R-7 to R-5

I have Leroy's supplements and two of your CDs (which are excellent and great time-savers for attribution). ... just don't them with me this time. Thanks again!

1879 S Rev 1878 VAM question UPDATED ANSWERS

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