VAM Question--1884-O VAM-10 O/O Hot 50

Buddyboy · February 24, 2006 8:56AM

I have a PCGS MS-65 1884-O which I am certain is a VAM 10 O/O. This coin fits the diagnostics as stated in the Hot 50 book: die polish lines in LIBERTY, far date, and the O mintmark looks much the same as the one pictured, just a bit softer. My problem is that the ear does not appear to be doubled on the inside! Any ideas?
Thanks
Bud

coinnut86 · February 24, 2006 4:19PM

Vamguy will be more than willing to help, I'm sure of it

He helped me with my VAM 5

VamGuy · February 24, 2006 10:39PM

<< <i>Vamguy will be more than willing to help, I'm sure of it

He helped me with my VAM 5

>>

Ohhhh, the pressure!!!!!

I've never used the doubled ear to attribute the variety. This feature is not mentioned in the VAM encyclopedia because it was just identified in 2005. Additionally, the C3g O/O reverse is completely unique to the VAM 10 variety. So once I verify the reverse, the obverse is a given. Sometimes doubling in the ear can be very faint, and it can require just the right lighting and viewing angle to see clearly.

Unfortunately, my only examples of the variety are at PCGS right now for reholdering. I expect them back sometime next week.
Perhaps some of the other VAM enthusiasts might assist in the meantime.

MAD4MORGANS · February 24, 2006 10:55PM

The image below is linked from www.Ashmore.com - VAM Updates

This is what the reverse looks like for the 1884 VAM-10 O/O.

Buddyboy · February 25, 2006 12:23AM

Thanks, folks! I'm going to go ahead and call my coin a VAM 10 when I send it in for attribution and re-holdering.
Bud

Coxe · February 25, 2006 1:42AM

Those dies were repolished at one point. (I have a prooflike confirming it.) The doubling in the ear was nearly obliterated in that polishing. The reverse is your best confirmation. On the obverse, you might see a tiny pit just SW of the tip of the hair curl and some fine left-to-right (roughly) polish lines inside the ear. You might also find a series of featherlike gouges along the inside bottom edge of Liberty's nostril.

coinnut86 · February 25, 2006 4:22PM

Told ya

Mad4Morgans helped me with mine also, as did others through pm's

VAM Question--1884-O VAM-10 O/O Hot 50

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