This month we are slowing down a bit to make changes to the web site and to complete a conversion of our PCs to Windows 11.  We also need to cross reference all our links in the  those within the site, not an easy task.

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Surface Duo 2 Upgrade

After our upgrade to Windows 11 on my desktop and laptop, this month it was a phone upgrade from the Surface Duo to the Duo 2.  For me this is a relatively easy change, but for my wife it takes days.  But I am all done and hopefully settled down with computing platforms for another year.

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Feedback from Leroy

We still have one coin to submit to Leroy for evaluation, but otherwise we are caught up with him.

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Checking Connections

Our web site has thousands of connections that need to be tested, updated, improved.  Even though we will not mention them here unless they are significant, we will be working on these behind the scenes for months.

 

If you find a dead link let us know please.

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Die Fingerprints

Die cracks and breaks, or as we like to call them "Die Fingerprints" are back on the table.  We have just seventeen VAMs left to analyze, not including VAM 1, and then this will spark further analysis.

The Die Fingerprints let us identify physical dies and their use.  This leads to questions about VAM numbers and die use sequence.

This also is an open ended discussion and analysis that will evolve as we learn more about each die.

VAM 27 - Double Ear

Obviously this is one of the most desirable VAMs in the 1881-O series because of its unique ear doubling and its classification as a Hot 50 VAM.

 

But this VAM is not rare and we have twenty examples.  It may be rare in Mint State, but even that is questionable.  For sure collectors value the variety and the cost of Mint State coins goes up sharply.

 

There are a number of die cracks on the obverse at the rim, but they are all superficial.

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The reverse does not show any evidence of die cracks.

​38100040   Mint State 62

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VAM 33 - Doubled Ear Bottom

This is a pairing of Obverse Die 22 with Reverse Die d.  Reverse Die d is used with several VAMs with the "O Centered but Tilted Left" descriptor.  As of November 2021 we have ten examples of VAM 33 for study.  The coins range from AU 53 to MS 65,  so there is plenty of material to work with in this analysis.  Two of the mint state coins are well toned and offer some nice variation in the study group.

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​34142902   Mint State 64

Both the obverse die and reverse die exhibit some superficial die cracks, and these seem to wear away quickly as the coins under mint state show little if any evidence of the cracks.  This coin is a Mint State 64 example.  The cracks toward the rim  are often seen on dies and on both the obverse and reverse there is some slight beveling of the fields toward the rim.

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VAM 33B - Doubled Ear, Clashed Obverse In & st Reverse M is a pairing of Obverse Die 22 with Reverse Die a.  Reverse Die a is used with classification of several VAMs but we believe this to be the same physical die as Reverse Die d.  As of November 2021 we have only one example of VAM 33B for study.  Fortunately this is a Mint State 62 coin and easy to identify.

 

Both the obverse die and reverse die exhibit some superficial die cracks, and these seem to wear away quickly as the coins under mint state show little if any evidence of the cracks.  This coin's die cracks line up exactly with VAM 33 and they are therefore the same physical dies.

 

VAM 33B is a highly desirable VAM because of the distinctive clashes and is classified as a "WOW VAM."  If you are a VAMmer this is the type coin you are on the lookout for in your collection.  It has strong clashes on both sides that are visible all over.  The letter transfer on both the obverse and reverse are easy to see.

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33582020   Mint State 62

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