From the date position and detail image, it seems to be my pleasure to welcome you to ownership of a Top 100 VAM. It appears to be VAM-4, characterized by stars rather strongly doubled towards the rim. The variety doesn't carry a large premium, but as the "best" variety of a better date it has interest to the VAMmer. Have a look for confirmation: http://www.vamworld.com/1893-P+VAM-4
A little history of this coin. It was in an auction I was watching. I would probably have bid on it, but I had already committed my budget to another auction. When I saw how cheap this auction closed at I couldn't believe it. In observing alot of auctions and noticing that alot of the coins being won were later relisted. I just always assumed there were shill bidders involved and they got over zealous. After conversing with several sellers, I learned this wasn't the case most of the time. It seems there are people that get great thrill out of running up a bid with no intention or means to pay when they get caught. Having known this I sent a message to the seller that if the winner didn't pay, I would like to negotiate on the coin. I also told him that I had blew my budget and if he would be interested I could definitely pay for it in 2 weeks. Guess what, the guy sent me a message back saying that he had contacted the auction winner and that he returned a message that said he couldn't pay for it. He also said that he wasn't hungry and that if we could make a deal, he would wait on the payment. We made a deal and he and I both stuck to our agreement. He messaged me after he shipped it and said that I definitely wouldn't be disappointed. I never noticed the Vam until I got the coin in hand and he never mentioned it. He was right in that I am not disappointed. It goes to show that even in these virtual times, a handshake can still be honored.
Terrific story, and it makes the coin all the more cool. These are pretty scarce in Mint State but kinda common in high XF-AU (ANACS has almost 500 between 40-58), so the seller isn't really out anything for the VAM aside the chance of a bidding frenzy if he'd attributed it in the listing. Just a win all around.
