Altered Hair - By VAM
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The Altered Hair Varieties
The analysis of the 1881-O series and hair has become so interesting that we are changing our approach to this section and only including images of the hair. At this juncture we are not including the hair on the upper portion of the bust because this would just become too complex and it is higher in the relief and less susceptible to the type variations in the lower hair.
At first we thought there were only six coins with polished out or weakly struck lower hair characteristics. However we now know the issue is much broader any much more complex. The hair state is also so distinguishing that you can sometimes identify a VAM or small group of VAMs by only looking at the hair. This has become a bit like recognizing a friend by his or her hairdo.
To understand the lower hair you must visualize the Liberty bust as if it were lying on a surface and has the ability to sink into the surface. As it sinks fewer of the features are completely visible, and detail starts to disappear around the edges.
All coins are like relief carvings. But when a die is polished it is polished from the field toward the highest relief portion. So the detail disappears first in the lowest relief areas, which is often around the edges. But low relief areas can be anywhere that the engraver wanted to create depth.
On a Morgan Dollar, in the lower hair, these areas are around the edges. But there are also low relief areas just below the designer's initial, in the hair vees, and the back of the cap.
Clashed Dies
Gouge in DOLLAR
Double Ear
Overpolished Wings
Altered Hair
Spiked 8
Similitudes
The Concept
Bearded Eagles
VAM 1A - Spike in 8
Curl 1- Slightly abbreviated below the initial and then picks beyond the initial.
Curl 2 - Full but truncated with a small die chip showing as the remainder of the hair end.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - Full
VAM 1B1- Die Gouge in DOL & Denticle Impressions above DOL
Curl 1- Slightly thinned just below the designer's initial which opens up the area just below the initial.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - Slightly softened on the highest points
VAM 1B2 - Die Gouge in DOLLAR, Clashed Obverse n & st
Tress - Full
Curl 1- Slightly thinned just below the designer's initial which opens up the area just below the initial.
Curl 2 - Full
Bear Claw - Full
Hair Vee - Full but the clash has softened this area.
Small Bear Claw - Full
Cap and Hair Back - Slightly softened on the highest points
VAM 1D - Pummeled or "Flaky" Eye
Curl 1- Completely filled in and almost crowds the initial so that there is no gap between the initial and the hair.
Curl 2 - Full and there is additional metal where the two curls come together making the hair come to a point rather than a softer ending.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - Slightly softened on the highest points
VAM 1F - Pitted Obverse Right Field and Eagle
Curl 1- The curl is completely terminated just before the initial creating a gap. One might argue that the bottom of the initial has also been obliterated.
Curl 2 - Thinned all along the curl and when combined with the shortened curl 1 creates a large circular area below the initial.
Hair Vee - Weak and seems to be slightly polished creating a gap. The last curl coming up from the bottom is shortened.
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The hair and small area of the cap have been over-polished near the field and there is a small break in the cap at the field.
VAM 1G - Die Gouges Inner Wing #1
Curl 1- The curl is thinned just below the initial and creates a hollow area.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is still defined as a solid line. The hair is softened but still defined.
VAM 1H - Die Gouges Inner Wing #2
Curl 1- The curl is thinned just below the initial and creates a hollow area. Where the upper part of the curl would have been there is a line of dots marking the outline.
Curl 2 - Full but with a small die gouge just in front of the termination of both curls.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is defined as a solid line. The hair is as full as we have seen in any VAM.
VAM 1I - Clashed obverse n and st
Our collection does not include a VAM 1I yet.
VAM 1J - Over Polished Reverse
Our collection does not include a VAM 1I yet.
VAM 1K - Clashed n and st
Our collection does not include a VAM 1I yet.
VAM 2 - O/O Low
Curl 1- The curl is thinned just below the initial and creates a hollow area. Where the upper part of the curl would have been there is a line of dots marking the outline.
Curl 2 - Full but with a small die gouge just in front of the termination of both curls.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is defined as a solid line. The hair is as full but appears to be very slightly polished.
VAM 2A - O/O Low, Spike in 8
Curl 1- The curl is thinned just below the initial and creates a hollow area. Where the upper part of the curl would have been there is a line of dots marking the outline.
Curl 2 - Full but with a small die gouge just in front of the termination of both curls.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is defined as a solid line. The hair is as full.
VAM 2B - O/O Low, Pitted NE-D
Curl 1- The curl is thinned just below the initial and creates a hollow area. Where the upper part of the curl would have been there is a line of dots marking the outline.
Curl 2 - Full but with a small die gouge just in front of the termination of both curls marking the intended end of the design.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is defined as a solid line. The hair is as full.
VAM 3 - Doubled 18-1, O Set Left
Curl 1- The curl is thinned just below the initial and creates a hollow area. Where the upper part of the curl would have been there is a line of dots marking the outline.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is defined as a solid line. The hair is as full.
VAM 4 - Doubled 8-1
Curl 1- The curl is thinned just below the initial and creates a hollow area. Where the upper part of the curl would have been there is a line of dots marking the outline.
Curl 2 - Full but with a small die gouge just in front of the termination of both curls marking the intended end of the curl design.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is defined as a solid line. The hair is as full but where the reverse wreath clashes the back of the cap it is also visible.
VAM 5 - O/O Right, Doubled 1
Curl 1- The curl is polished out completely where it meets the designer's initial, and the lower portion of the initial is missing.
Curl 2 - The curl is broken beyond the leading edge of the designer's initial and reappears in short portions beyond. The hair that comes up to the back of the curl is also overpolished and shortened.
Hair Vee - The hair vee is overpolished with no line defining the outer hair boundary. The over-polished area extends well into the hair vee area.
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap is broken and not defined. The hair at the back is overpolished and has missing folds with a poorly defined line at the field junction.
VAM 6 - O Tilted Left
Curl 1- The curl is thinned just below the initial and creates a hollow area.
Curl 2 - Full but stopped short of the intended end of the design that is only marked by a small bit of hair that looks much like a small chip or gouge.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is defined as a solid line. The hair is as full.
VAM 6A - Spike in 8, O Tilted Left
Curl 1- The curl is thinned just below the initial and creates a hollow area.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is defined as a solid line. The hair is as full.
Note - These images are from a Good 8 coin but appear to closely parallel the VAM 6 example.
VAM 7 - O Set High
Curl 1- The curl is thinned just below the initial and creates a hollow area.
Curl 2 - It appears that the curl is thinned or broken just beyond the initial, but this could be wear.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is defined as a solid line. The hair is as full.
Note - These images are from a Very Good 10 coin.
VAM 8 - O Tilted Right
Curl 1- The curl is thinned just below the initial and creates a hollow area, but picks up again on the far side of the initial.
Curl 2 - It appears that the curl is thinned just beyond the initial.
Bear Claw - Full
Hair Vee - There is some evidence of over-polishing in the hair vee with separation at the outside edge.
Small Bear Claw - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is defined as a solid line, but the hair is softened at the field and less well defined.
VAM 9 - Doubled 18, Dot O
Curl 1- The curl is thinned just below the initial and creates a hollow area, but picks up again on the far side of the initial. There are some small metal flakes remaining that touch the initial. There is a small bit of hair just beyond the hair curl tip.
Curl 2 - Full and the two curls come together as if they are trying to form a point, but not quite.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines.
VAM 10 - O/O Top Right, Tripled/Quadrupled 18-1
Curl 1- The curl is thinned just below the initial and creates a hollow area, but picks up again on the far side of the initial. The open area is relatively clean compared to others. There is a small hair remnant beyond the hair curl tip marking the intended end of the hair.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines.
VAM 11 - Spike in 8, O/O Left
Curl 1- The curl is broken just below the initial and creates a slightly hollow area, but picks up again on the far side of the initial. The open area is "cluttered" with what looks like remnants of the missing curl. There is a small gouge beyond the hair curl tip that is larger than on other examples.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines.
VAM 12 - O/O Lower Right
Curl 1- The curl is broken just below the initial and creates a slightly hollow area, but picks up again on the far side of the initial. The open area is "cluttered" with what looks like remnants of the missing curl. There is a small gouge beyond the hair curl tip that is larger than on other examples.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines.
VAM 13 - Doubled 8, O/O High
Curl 1- The curl is broken just below the initial and creates a slightly hollow area. There is a portion of the missing curl still present as an outline. There is a small bit of hair beyond the curl tip.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines.
VAM 14 - Doubled First 8, Die Gouge DO
Curl 1- The curl is broken just below the initial and creates an area that almost appears to be hairs or fine lines. The small gouge beyond the curl tip is much larger than on other dies and appears as an extension of the two curls where they come together.
Curl 2 - Full and there is additional metal where the two curls come together making the hair appear to come to a point rather than a softer ending.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines, but the hair appears to have been softened just slightly.
VAM 15 - Doubled 1
Curl 1- The curl is almost complete and where missing very clean. There is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines.
VAM 16 Doubled 1, Over Polished Reverse
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. There is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines. If there is any softening of the curls it is only at the high points.
VAM 17 - Dash Under 8
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. There is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines.
VAM 18 - Doubled 18, Die Gouge DOL
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. Beyond the curls there is a die gouge or chip that has enough substance to bring the two curls into a point.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
VAM 19 - Doubled 1-1 & Profile
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. Beyond the curls there is a die gouge or chip that has enough substance to bring the two curls into a point.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
VAM 20 - Doubled 18
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. Beyond the curls there is a die gouge or chip that has enough substance to bring the two curls into a point.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
VAM 21 - O/O Top Right
Our collection does not include a VAM 21 yet.
VAM 22 - Doubled 1-1, O Tilted Left
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. Beyond the curls there is a die gouge or chip.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
VAM 23 - Doubled Profile, O Set Left
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. There is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
VAM 24 - Doubled Second 1
Curl 1- The curl is shortened and ends just before the designer's initial.
Curl 2 - The curl is thin in several places and much narrower just before the end of the curl.
Hair Vee - The large hair vee has been overpolished and is not closed at the field.
Lower Hair Vee - The lower hair vee is open at the field and is overpolished into the vee.
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is partially open and weak at the field. The hair is weak at the field junction.
VAM 25 - O/O Right
Curl 1- The curl is open below the initial and the bottom of the initial is polished out. The opened area is relatively clear of hair outlines or other debris. There is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Curl 2 - Full and the chip after the end of the curl is very small.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - The vee is opened slightly at the field.
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
VAM 26 - Doubled 18
Curl 1- The curl is truncated before the initial and the open area is missing any fragments of detail.
Curl 2 - The curl is partially polished out and narrowed in places. The die chip beyond the curl is missing.
Hair Vee - The right hair vee is starting to lose definition where it meets the field. The inner area is starting to look polished.
Lower Hair Vee - The vee is opened slightly at the field.
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is broken and starting to lose definition where it meets the field. The back of the hair line is also softened and poorly defined where it meets the field.
VAM 26A - Doubled 18, Clashed Obverse us
Curl 1- The curl is truncated before the initial and the open area is missing any fragments of detail.
Curl 2 - The curl is partially polished out and narrowed in places. The die chip beyond the curl is missing.
Hair Vee - The right hair vee is starting to lose definition where it meets the field. The inner area is starting to look polished.
Lower Hair Vee - The vee is opened slightly at the field.
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is broken and starting to lose definition where it meets the field. The back of the hair line is also softened and poorly defined where it meets the field. The high points on the curls are softened. The clash is visible above and below the break in the cap line where it meets the field.
VAM 27 - Doubled Ear
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. There is enough hair to bring the two curls into a point as originally intended in the design.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
VAM 28 - Doubled Profile
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. Beyond the curls there is a die gouge or chip that has enough substance to bring the two curls into a point on Die 1. On Dies 2 and 3 the gouge or chip is not filled in and the area below the initial is a larger gap.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
VAM 29 - Doubled 18 and stars
Our collection does not include a VAM 29 yet.
VAM 30 - Doubled 1-1, Earlobe, Reverse Legend & Motto
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with an outline of the curl remaining.
Curl 2 - Full but the two curls terminate slightly longer than normal and with less of a rounded shape. There is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
VAM 31 - Doubled 18
Our collection does not include a VAM 31 yet.
VAM 32 - Doubled 18-1, O Set Left
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. Beyond the curls there is a die gouge or chip that has enough substance to bring the two curls into a point without magnification.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
VAM 33 - Doubled Ear Bottom
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. Beyond the curls the hair comes to a point as intended in the original design.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
VAM 33B - Doubled Ear Bottom, Clashed Obverse In & st Reverse M
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. Beyond the curls there is a die gouge or chip that has enough substance to bring the two curls into a point without magnification.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
VAM 34 - Doubled 18
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. Beyond the curls there is a die gouge or chip that is only slightly visible.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
Note - These images are from an Almost Uncirculated 50 coin.
VAM 34A - Doubled 18, Pinned Wing
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. There is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
VAM 35 - Doubled 188, O Set Left
Curl 1- The curl is truncated before the initial and the open area is missing any significant fragments of detail.
Curl 2 - The curl is partially polished out and narrowed in places. The die chip beyond the curl is missing.
Hair Vee - The right hair vee is starting to lose definition where it meets the field. The inner area is starting to look polished.
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is full, but starting to lose definition where it meets the field. The back of the hair line is also softened and poorly defined where it meets the field. The high points on the curls are softened.
VAM 36 - Doubled 8-1, O Set Left, Tilted Left
Our collection does not include a VAM 36 yet.
VAM 37 - Doubled Reverse Legend & Motto
Curl 1- The curl is slightly abbreviated below the initial with a small "X" shape remaining. There is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Curl 2 - Full
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair are defined as a solid lines and the curls are full.
VAM 37A - Doubled Reverse Legend & Motto, Clashed Obverse n, us
Curl 1- The curl is truncated before the initial and the open area is missing any fragments of detail.
Curl 2 - The curl is partially polished out and narrowed in places. The die chip beyond the curl is missing.
Hair Vee - The right hair vee is starting to lose definition where it meets the field. The inner area is starting to look polished.
Lower Hair Vee - The vee is opened slightly at the field.
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is broken and starting to lose definition where it meets the field. The back of the hair line is also softened and poorly defined where it meets the field. The high points on the curls are softened.
VAM 37B - Doubled Reverse Legend & Motto, Beveled Field STAT & AM
Curl 1- The curl is truncated before the initial and the open area is missing any fragments of detail.
Curl 2 - The curl is partially polished out and narrowed in places. The die chip beyond the curl is missing.
Hair Vee - The right hair vee is starting to lose definition where it meets the field. The inner area is starting to look polished.
Lower Hair Vee - The vee is opened slightly at the field.
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is broken and starting to lose definition where it meets the field. The back of the hair line is also softened and poorly defined where it meets the field. The high points on the curls are softened.
VAM 38 - Tripled Left Wreath, Double Legend
Curl 1- The curl is thinned just below the initial and creates a hollow area.
Curl 2 - Full but with a small die gouge just in front of the termination of both curls, but this feature is very weak.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - The vee is opened slightly at the field.
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is defined as a solid line and the hair is full.
VAM 39 - Doubled Phrygian Cap & UNUM
Our collection does not include a VAM 39 yet.
VAM 40 - Doubled Ear Inside & Bottom
Curl 1- The curl is truncated before the initial and the open area is missing any significant fragments of detail.
Curl 2 - The curl is partially polished out and narrowed in places. The die chip beyond the curl is missing.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is full. The back of the hair line is softened and poorly defined where it meets the field. The high points on the curls are softened. This is an unusual example where the polishing of the back of the hair and cap are different.
VAM 41 - Doubled 1, Tripled Left Wreath, Doubled Legend
Curl 1- The curl is thinned below the initial and the open area is missing any significant fragments of detail.
Curl 2 - The curl is partially polished out and narrowed in places. The die chip beyond the curl is missing.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
VAM 42 - Doubled Left 8, Die Gouge DO
Curl 1- The curl is thinned below the initial and the open area is missing any significant fragments of detail.
Curl 2 - The curl is largely intact with only a small break in the very bottom. The die chip beyond the curl is missing.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
Note - These images are from an Almost Uncirculated 58 coin.
VAM 43 - Doubled Left 8 & Phrygian Cap, Die Gouge DOL
Our collection does not include a VAM 43 yet.
VAM 44 - Doubled Reverse Legend & Wreaths, Vertical Die Scratch in Front of Eye
Curl 1- The curl is thinned below the initial and the open area is missing any significant fragments of detail.
Curl 2 - The curl is largely intact with only a small break in the very bottom. The die chip beyond the curl is missing.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
VAM 45 - Doubled Left 1, O Set High
Our collection does not include a VAM 45 yet.
VAM 46 - Doubled 18, Dot O
Curl 1- The curl is thinned below the initial and the open area with small fragments from the intended hair design.
Curl 2 - The curl is intact and there is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
VAM 47 - Doubled Left 8 and Phrygian Cap
Our collection does not include a VAM 47 yet.
VAM 48 - O/O Lines
Our collection does not include a VAM 48 yet.
VAM 49 - Doubled 1-1, Die Gouge DOL
Curl 1- The curl is full below the initial.
Curl 2 - There is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
VAM 50 - Doubled Ear Bottom
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is slightly narrowed with some metal flakes present.
Curl 2 - The curl is intact and there is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
Note - These images are from an Almost Uncirculated 58 coin.
VAM 50A - Doubled Ear Bottom Clashed Obverse n & st Reverse M
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is slightly narrowed with some metal flakes present. There is a vertical die scratch or gouge crossing the lower part of the curl.
Curl 2 - The curl is intact and there is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full. This is a clashed die and the clash is visible at the back of the cap.
VAM 51 - Doubled 18, Tripled Left Wreath, Doubled Legend, Clashed Obverse us
Curl 1- The curl is truncated before the initial and the open area is missing any significant fragments of detail.
Curl 2 - The curl is partially polished out and narrowed in places. The die chip beyond the curl is missing.
Hair Vee - Polished to a degree that the vee is starting to open, but also clashed at the vee opening.
Lower Hair Vee - Polished to a degree that the vee is open.
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is partially obscured by the reverse clash, but likely open. The hair is starting to soften at the field junction.
VAM 52 - Doubled 18-1
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is slightly narrowed with some metal flakes present. There is a vertical die scratch or gouge crossing the lower part of the curl.
Curl 2 - The curl is intact and there is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
VAM 53 - Doubled 18, Pitted Ear
Curl 1- The curl below the initial seems full.
Curl 2 - The curl is intact and there is a die chip beyond the curl that blends back in to make the two curls come to a point.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
VAM 54 - Doubled Right 1 Bottom, O Set Left
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is nearly full, but with some missing portions of the hair just below the initial.
Curl 2 - The curl is intact and there is a die chip beyond the curl that blends back in to make the two curls come to a point.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
VAM 55 - Doubled Right 1 Top & Right Side
Our collection does not include a VAM 55 yet.
VAM 55A - Doubled Right 1 Top & Right Side, Clashed Obverse n
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is nearly full, but with some missing portions of the hair just below the initial.
Curl 2 - The curl is intact and there is a die chip beyond the curl that blends back in to make the two curls come to a point.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
Note - These images are from an Almost Uncirculated 50 coin.
VAM 56 - Doubled Right 1 Lower Right
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is nearly full, but with some missing portions of the hair just below the initial.
Curl 2 - The curl is intact and there is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design. There is a small break at the edge toward the end of the curl.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
VAM 57 - Doubled Ear Right Inside, O Set Left
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is slightly narrowed with some very minor metal flakes present.
Curl 2 - The curl is intact and there is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
VAM 58 - Doubled Left 8
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is slightly narrowed with some very minor metal flakes present.
Curl 2 - The curl is largely intact, but with a break in the bottom toward the end of the curl. There is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Slightly open at the bottom.
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full but starting to show signs of softening.
VAM 59 - Doubled Reverse Legend and Motto
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is slightly narrowed with some very minor metal flakes present. There is a horizontal line that could indicate the upper outline of the curl.
Curl 2 - The curl is full and there is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full but starting to show signs of softening.
VAM 60 - Doubled OF AMERICA, O/O Left and Set Left
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is slightly narrowed with some very minor metal flakes present. There is a horizontal line that could indicate the upper outline of the curl.
Curl 2 - There is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full but starting to show signs of softening.
Note - The images are from an Almost Uncirculated 58 coin.
VAM 61 - Doubled 18, O Set Left
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is slightly narrowed with some very minor metal flakes present. There is a horizontal line that could indicate the upper outline of the curl.
Curl 2 - The curl is full and there is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design..
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full but starting to show signs of softening. This is a clashed die that shows lightly in this picture. The die is also heavily pitted.
VAM 62 - Doubled Date, Ear Bottom, and Upper Reverse
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is slightly narrowed with some very minor metal flakes present. There is a horizontal line that could indicate the upper outline of the curl.
Curl 2 - The curl is full and there is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full but starting to show slight signs of softening.
VAM 63 - Doubled Obverse Stars, O Tilted Left
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is slightly narrowed with some very minor metal flakes present. There is a horizontal line that could indicate the upper outline of the curl.
Curl 2 - The curl is full but there is a small die chip beyond the curl in a slight curved shape.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
VAM 64 - Doubled 18, Polished Forehead, O Set Left
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is slightly narrowed with some very minor metal flakes present.
Curl 2 - The curl is full and there is a small die chip or hair remnant just beyond the curl tip marking the intended end of the hair in the design.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
VAM 65 - Doubled 18-1
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is truncated before the initial and the area below the initial is open and clear.
Curl 2 - The curl has been polished out to a degree that is is thinned in several places. There is no die chip beyond the curl to indicate the hair terminus.
Hair Vee - The hair vee has been polished slightly and is open at the edge.
Lower Hair Vee - The lower hair vee has been polished slightly so that it is open at the field.
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area has been opened and there is only a remnant of the back of the cap line. The hair is week and polished out in some areas at the field.
VAM 66 - Doubled Right 1 Bottom
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is thinned but the remnants of the hair curl top are visible.
Curl 2 - The curl is full and proceeds to the intended juncture with the other curl.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
VAM 67 - Doubled 18 and Upper Reverse
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is truncated before the initial and the area below the initial is open and clear.
Curl 2 - The curl has been polished out to a degree that is is thinned in several places. There is no die chip beyond the curl to indicate the hair terminus.
Hair Vee - The hair vee has not yet been polished and is closed.
Lower Hair Vee - The lower hair vee has not been polished.
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area has not been opened and there is a full line of demarcation all along the cap edge.
VAM 68 - Doubled 18, O Tilted Left
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is truncated before the initial and the area below the initial is open and clear.
Curl 2 - The curl has been polished out to a degree that is is thinned in several places. There is only a faint die chip beyond the curl to indicate the hair terminus.
Hair Vee - The hair vee has been polished slightly and is open at the edge.
Lower Hair Vee - The lower hair vee is still closed.
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area is still defined but the hair is weak at the field intersection.
VAM 69 - Doubled Profile, Cap, and Left 8, O/O Left
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is thinned but the remnants of the hair curl top are visible.
Curl 2 - The curl is full and proceeds to the intended juncture with the other curl.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
VAM 70 - Doubled Cap Top, UNUM, O Set Left
Curl 1- The curl below the initial is slightly narrowed with some very minor metal flakes present.
Curl 2 - The curl is full but there is a small die chip beyond the curl in a slight curved shape.
Hair Vee - Full
Lower Hair Vee - Full
Cap and Hair Back - The back of the cap area and hair is full.
Getting Started
Collecting The 1881-O
The 1881-O VAMs