I for this in a stack at my buddy's Coin shop I got for grading fees.I am re submitting it and we found 2 Vam's what one will Pcgs Detail 1 or both ? I know for sure the extra 8 will be noted but the arrows shafts are also doubled.
I'm not a VAM expert. I think PCGS only will indicate VAM on 'top 50' ob their slabs. And it can only be one VAM. I think the definition of a VAM is the die pair that was used to strike a coin.
The second 8 is where I am having difficulty finding the proper obverse die. It appears like the "thick dash under second 8" of the 1885-P such as 1885-P VAM 22, but that doesn't explain the stuff under the dash that "looks slightly" like the top of a "1", or some type of die damage from the dash ( if it is) to the denticles. And I can't find any "thick dash under 8" for the 1885-O. SO perhaps the 8 is die damage. If it is , then I would think VAM-23. If not then the closest would be VAM-16, but it is a far date, and this doesn't appear to be so. Maybe you will just have to pay to have them attribute it inhand. My guess would be VAM-23 and just a guess. JIm
PCGS has a list of the VAM numbers on their website. These are the only numbers they will attribute on the holder. ANACS has much more variety attribution if PCGS won't list it. But then you have to decide if you want a PCGS holder without attribution or an ANACS holder with attribution. It all comes down to the coin itself, though.
I couldn't find any VAMs that match what's going on under the second 8. Maybe it's a small lamination error.
I agree that looks like a small lamination or strike through under the second 8. I don't think it was a result of any recutting on the die.
I don't think PCGS would put a VAM designation on this coin. Currently they do not attribute ANY 1885-O's. Not even sure I can guess on the VAM from the images. The area under the second date looks like a strike through. There may be a dash there, but I can't be sure. Don't see the doubling in the arrow shafts. The shafts near the tips of the arrow heads can appear to have slight doubling, but doubled arrows usually refers to the center shafts and/or arrow feathers. It's fairly easy to see on VAMs 16, 22, and 23. Looks more like a VAM 4 to me. Just a guess, but check the 18 against VAMworld.
Really? That would be great... especially in a nice grade like your coin appears. It does seem to be an exact match to a VAM 4 however. John Hall is a business development person at ANACS. John Roberts is the VAM attribution person.
Not sure this will help. It's a comparison image of your coin and an 1885-O VAM 4. The VAM 4 is the only 85-O variety with a spike above the lower crossbar of the '1', and what appears to be doubling near the left inside lower loop of the first '8'. I see both of these features on your coin.
I agree it looks like a VAM4 to me. They usually also have machine doubling in AMER and think that is what you are seeing on the arrow shafts. I have an 1885-0 VAM4 and it looks exactly like yours except for the second 8 which I agree is a lamination or strike through.
This what they think maybe be new how large & shape of the extra 8 is. and the arrow shaft & tips that is why they think it maybe a new discovery. I will post more as I get more info.
