Bought a coin on eBay and once it arrived it had some distinct marks. I looked the marks up and came up with VAM-57. Does this add a substantial premium to the coin? Enough to add to its original green NGC holder? See it under the right wing? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Only three 1881-S VAMs really have a premium -- VAM 1B, VAM 54A, and 54B (with the latter two being different die stages of the same die pair). For your coin, I don't see the diagonal line under the eagle's left wing mentioned for VAM 57. Is it there?
The reverse is PL like the obverse but it's there although it's only 50% of the length. I can't get a good photo because the light keeps reflecting.
Yeah, like @messydesk said, with 81s you are looking for either a displaced die crack going down the eagles breast (54A/54b) or a big honkin' die chip on the eagles right wing just above the wreath tip (1b). All other 81s VAMs don't really carry a premium but those 3 can have quite a hefty price tag
