Gouges in DOLLAR

The Gouged DOLLAR Varieties of 1881-O

The gouged varieties of the 1881-O come in only two main varieties.  First there is the die rim gouge that is the most common.  This version sometimes appears with a faint denticle impression above the rim gouge.  The impression is faint enough that it often wore away quickly leaving only the rim gouge.  This gouge is recognizable because of its curvilinear appearance and it travels upward from the D to the L.

 

Then there is the VAM 14 gouge which travels in the opposite direction and appears less uniform and more like a rough gouge of unknown origin.

 

The rim gouge group is distinguished by second characteristics such as date doubling, clashing, and profile doubling.

 

In all cases these are easily recognized and all are in the Spiked 8 group.

 

 

Clashed Dies

Gouge in DOLLAR

Double Ear

Overpolished Wings

Altered Hair

Spiked 8

Similitudes

The Concept

Bearded Eagles

VAM 1B1 - Die Gouge in DOLLAR, Denticle Impressions

VAM 1B1 has no die clash marks or just a single diagonal clash line at the neck, no clashed letters on the obverse.

 

The reverse is also a normal die, but with a long thin die gouge from the D through the O in DOLLAR, with a few faint denticle impressions with spacing of denticles above the gouge.  The denticle impressions were likely worn away quickly.

 

The obverse is die 1, and the reverse is die a.

 

VAM 1B2 - Die Gouge in DOLLAR, Clashed Obverse n and st

VAM 1B2 has a double diagonal clashed die at the neck, with a partial incuse n of In from reverse next to Liberty head neck, and a partial incuse of st of Trust showing in right hair vee of lower hair edge.

 

The reverse is also a normal die, with a long thin die gouge from the D through the O in DOLLAR, and with faint denticle impressions.

 

The obverse is die 1, and the reverse is die a.

 

VAM 14 - Doubled First 8, Die Gouge in DO

VAM 14 has the a spike in the upper loop of the first 8.  The first 8 is also doubled on the surface at the bottom right outside of the lower loop.

 

The reverse is a normal die with a doubled die gouge through the DO in DOLLAR, but unlike VAMs 1B1 and 1B2 the gouge sweeps down and not up.

 

The obverse is die 6, and the reverse is die a.

 

VAM 18 - Doubled 18, Die Gouge in DOL

VAM 18 has the first 1 doubled under the left serif.  The first 8 is doubled on the upper inside of lower loop, and has a short spike at top left inside of upper loop at 10 o;clock.

 

The reverse is a normal die but with a long thin die gouge from D through the top of the O over to the L in DOLLAR. The gouge is from the die rim edge, impressed into die. There are denticle impressions, likely wore quickly away on the die leaving only a bold gouge.

 

The obverse is die 10, and the reverse is die a.

 

VAM 42 - Doubled Left 8, Die Gouge DO

VAM 42 resembles VAM 14 in that the gouge in DO sweeps down and not up.  The obverse is different from VAM 14 because of features in the date.  In VAM 42 the doubling is on the top loop on the right surface.  There is also a small gouge in the lower loop of the second 8.

 

The obverse is die 28, and the reverse is die a.

 

VAM 43 - Doubled Left 8 and Phrygian Cap, Die Gouge in DOL and Denticle

VAM 43 has a slightly doubled top inside and right outside of left 8 lower loop. Spike at top left inside of left 8 upper loop at 10 o'clock.  There is a slightly doubled Phrygian cap top and forehead.

 

The reverse is a normal die with a long thin gouge through the letters DOL in DOLLAR.

 

The obverse is die 29, and the reverse is die a.

 

VAM 49 - Doubled 1--1, Die Gouge in DOL

VAM 43 has the first 1 doubled at the right side of the vertical shaft, and the second 1 doubled at the top left of the flag.

 

There is a series of vertical polishing lines below cap ribbon as a die marker.

 

The reverse is a normal die with a long thin gouge through the letters DOL in DOLLAR.

 

The obverse is die 13, and the reverse is die a.