1878p Vam 31, 110 and 40 obverses

[Jodemyer]

I was looking over the 1978p obverses with broken N and M. It says there are 6 known obverses. The obverse of vam 110 (SN) looks exactly like the obverse of vam 31 (LN) and almost exactly like Vam 40 (LN) (minus the two lower die cracks at #1 star and between 1 and 8)or am I missing something? I thought interesting since the Vam 31 is considered transitional from the 8 TF. Thanks in advance. I tried every way I know to orient the V40 pic correct but it insists on staying upside down unless it corrects after I post.

http://ec2-13-58-222-16.us-east-2.compu ... -P_VAM-110

http://ec2-13-58-222-16.us-east-2.compu ... 8-P_VAM-31

[keilg1]

I believe you're thinking incorrectly like I did - that because production started with the 8tf flavor (and VAM-9 specifically), that the natural progression went 8tf -> 7/8tf -> 7tf.

I've been told and believe this isn't quite true. For example, see http://www.vamworld.com/forum/viewtopic ... 68&p=58192.

I have all variants except the 162... but I do have a 200 (rev 79) - which doesn't appear to show the crack. Now this is one coin, but that suggests the ordering of use might be a very interesting topic to figure out. My 200 coin, too, is one of the LDS clashed versions (no apparent letter transfer) that is not seen on other family members suggesting the 200 was the last of the lot, though because there are no clash lines on earlier numbered members?

1878PV200GREd_FCO.jpg (256 KiB) Viewed 174 times

1878PV200GREd_FCR.jpg (256 KiB) Viewed 174 times

[Jodemyer]

Thanks! @@keilg1 That is very interesting! I will be studying that!
Am I correct at least in part that vams 31, 40 and 110 share the same obverse die which, in my mind would narrow down the obverses from 6 distinct obverses to 4 distinct obverses? And interesting to me because, if they do have the same obverse die then was it used on the short nock and long nock. ( probably nothing of note but being new to the hobby I thought would be interesting) The other three listed obverses are different. Thanks for the great info!
The clashed 200 would seem to be later unless earlier examples showed polished out areas? Am I thinking correct?

[vampicker]

The comment is misleading and an object lesson in not taking everything on any wiki site as gospel. There are six listings, but that is not the same as six dies. I'll edit the page in a couple of minutes.
This is also a good opportunity to brush up on reading VAM die nomenclature. 40, 31 and 110 share the same II/I 8 obverse. 145 and 162 share their obverse. 200 is the odd man out. 3 dies with similar breaks. There are others with the broken letters less broken

[keilg1]

@vampicker, you rock and I'm so glad you're adding/correcting my input! I had no idea there were 3 different dies for the 200 listing - now I'll need to start a look out for the other two to complete my set.

#mywifeisn'tgoingtobehappywithyou

[Jodemyer]

Thanks @keilg1 and thanks @vampicker ! I understand it now!

[messydesk]

@vampicker, you rock and I'm so glad you're adding/correcting my input! I had no idea there were 3 different dies for the 200 listing - now I'll need to start a look out for the other two to complete my set.

#mywifeisn'tgoingtobehappywithyou

Not 3 dies for VAM 200, 3 dies with similar breaks. One for 31, 40, and 110, one for 145 and 162, one for 200.

[keilg1]

@vampicker, you rock and I'm so glad you're adding/correcting my input! I had no idea there were 3 different dies for the 200 listing - now I'll need to start a look out for the other two to complete my set.

#mywifeisn'tgoingtobehappywithyou

Not 3 dies for VAM 200, 3 dies with similar breaks. One for 31, 40, and 110, one for 145 and 162, one for 200.

Ah... that sounds a lot less expensive and frustrating for my wife. I'd still like to find a 200 with letter transfer. Think that out there?!