We actually looked at Reverse Die h as used on VAMs 10 and 21 earlier when we looked at obverse dies.  But we now think we might have overlooked the correct identification features.

VAM 10 should be Reverse Die h paired with Obverse Die 5 where the double or triple date is present.  We currently show 15 of these in our inventory, but the date feature may have been insufficiently described to distinguish it from VAM 21.  So what does the double or triple date feature look like?

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As you can see from these photos the date feature is distinctive and the double or triple digits are very evident.  The first 1 is tripled on the bottom of the flag and it probably shows tripling in other areas.

The first 8 shows clear tripling inside and outside the upper loop, and surface doubling on the lower loop.  And very important to note is that there is NO SPIKE IN THE UPPER LOOP.

The second 1 shows doubling as notches at the top and bottom right side of the vertical shaft.

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The mint mark is tilted slightly left and has doubling in the form of a strong bit of metal on the right inside of the O.  There will often be a faint line of the inside of the doubled mint mark trailing off toward 7 o'clock at the bottom inside.

To know we have the Reverse Die h there are evident polishing areas in the right wing, right most tail feather, and left wreath.

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Click on image to see a larger representation

These images are from PCGS 27409712, an MS 63 example.  After examination we now believe we have confirmed fifteen examples of VAM 10.

Reverse Die m has distinguishing features that would separate it from Reverse Die h.  But the dies also share some features that make them confusing.

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Click on image to see a larger representation

Through Photoshop we have done an overlay of the two reverses of VAMs 10 and 25.  So far as we can tell the two reverses are identically polished.

On VAM 10 the mint mark doubling is confined to the inside of the O.  On VAM 25 the mint mark doubling is both inside and outside.  Both appear to be in the same position and have the same tilt.

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So either the mint mark was retouched to make it stronger and the outside marks were added, or the mint mark was cleaned up and the outside marks were removed, making Reverse Die h.

We looked for other distinguishing marks, but both have pitting in the wings to the same degree.

This VAM was identified back in 1980 by Martin Field.  It has no photographic representation, so relying on written descriptions has made it very difficult to pin down.  To be a VAM 21 with Reverse Die h, the coin would need to have the same reverse die as VAM 10, but no date doubling on the obverse.

We had just about given up when we went back through our VAM 25 coins and discovered that there is one coin that is different.  PCGS 84368587, an MS 63 coin identified as a VAM 25.

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The mint mark on this coin is completely different and shows doubled at the bottom.  This matches none of the coins identified as VAM 10 or VAM 25.

The die cracks on this coin match the die cracks on other VAM 25 coins.  So the obverses match as a Obverse Die 1.

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Click on image to see a larger representation

But we get no hints about the reverse die from die cracks because there are no cracks on the VAM 25, Reverse Die m or on this coin.

So we turned our attention to the pitting on the wings and we found a unique set of pitting bumps that are present on all three coins.

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PCGS 84368587 VAM 25?

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PCGS 05119878 VAM 25

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PCGS 31937995 VAM 10

So we would conclude that all three are the same physical die, and since they are all pitted we would conclude in about the same die state.