Double Ear

The Doubled Ear Varieties

The most famous of the 1881-O VAMs is the VAM 27 Double Ear variety where the ear is doubled on the complete right side and on the right inside of the ear.  This variety makes the Hot 50 list and when you watch auction prices it tends to command the highest prices per grade.

 

Other double ear varieties exist, but with less notoriety.  A few of these coins are also listed in other sections because of overlapping traits, such as the Spike in 8.

 

So far we have one double ear discovery, VAM 62 with a Double Date, Ear Bottom, and Upper Reverse.

 

Clashed Dies

Gouge in DOLLAR

Double Ear

Overpolished Wings

Altered Hair

Spiked 8

Similitudes

The Concept

Bearded Eagles

VAM 27 - Doubled Ear

VAM 27 is the most recognizable of the double ear varieties in the 1881-O series and commands a lot of recognition among collectors of elite VAMs.  There is a doubling of the back and base of ear, the front inside of ear, and the hair above the ear.

 

The coin is more readily available below Mint State grades,  but it is available at a premium in the MS group.

 

LIBERTY is slightly doubled on the right side or the crown.

 

The obverse is die 16, and the reverse is die a.

 

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VAM 30 - Doubled 1--1, Earlobe, and Reverse Legend and Motto

VAM 30 has the left 1 slightly doubled on the right side of the vertical shaft, and the right 1 is doubled at the top.  There is a slight doubling of the bottom of the earlobe, and left and right stars towards the rim.

 

There is a slight doubling of TED STATES OF AMERICA and the right wreath leaves towards the rim.  In God We Trust is doubled towards the rim.

 

The obverse is die 19, and the reverse is die n.

 

VAM 33 - Doubled Ear bottom

VAM 33 has the ear is slightly doubled at the bottom of the earlobe.  There are also two die gouges within the inner ear near the bottom.

 

The reverse is a normal die.

 

The obverse is die 22, and the reverse is die a.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VAM 33B - Doubled Ear, Clashed Obverse In and st, Reverse M

VAM 33 has the ear is slightly doubled at the bottom of the earlobe.  There is a strong second die clash almost exactly on top of first one strengthening the clashed letters so that In shows next to neck.

 

The reverse is a normal die.

 

The obverse is die 22, and the reverse is die a.

 

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VAM 40 - Doubled Ear Inside and Bottom

VAM 40 has the ear slightly doubled at the right inside and the bottom of the earlobe

 

The reverse is a normal die.

 

The obverse is die 27, and the reverse is die a.

 

VAM 45 - Doubled Left 1, O Set High

VAM 45 has the left 1 is slightly doubled at the top left and on top of both sides of the base.  Slightly doubled bottom of the earlobe.

 

On the reverse the O mint mark is set slightly high.

 

The obverse is die 30, and the reverse is die e.

 

Our collection does not include a VAM 45 yet but this link will take you to the VAMworld page for the VAM 45.

VAM 50 - Doubled Ear Bottom

VAM 50 has the ear slightly doubled at the bottom of earlobe. Similar to VAM 33 but not as strong

 

The reverse is a normal die.

 

The obverse is die 22, and the reverse is die a.

 

VAM 50A - Doubled Ear Bottom, Clashed Obverse n & st, Reverse M

VAM 50A is a clashed die with a partial incuse of the In of In  from the motto from reverse showing next to Liberty's neck, and a partial incuse of st of Trust from reverse showing in the right hair vee of lower hair edge. The ear is slightly doubled at the bottom of the earlobe.

 

The reverse is a normal die.

 

The obverse is die 22, and the reverse is die a.

 

VAM 57 - Doubled Ear Right Inside, O Set Left

VAM 57  has a slightly doubled ear at right inside and bottom. There is a slight roughness at base of the I in LIBERTY.

 

 

The reverse has the O mint mark set slightly to left with middle of eagle's right wing over polished.

 

The obverse is die 38, and the reverse is die l.

 

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VAM 62 - Doubled Date, Ear Bottom, and Upper Reverse

VAM 62 has a slightly doubled date with the left 1 doubled at the bottom edge of the lower crossbar; the left 8 at the top inside and right outside of the upper loop; the right 8 at the top right inside of the upper loop; and the right 1 doubled at the top edge.  The ear is doubled at the bottom of the earlobe.  There is a single diagonal polishing line at lower right of L in LIBERTY.

 

On the reverse there is a slight doubling of OF AMERICA, the motto letters and some right wreath leaves are doubled toward the rim.  There is a diagonal die scratch through d of God.

 

The obverse is die 40 and the reverse is die s.

 

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