Guess the 'clashing through the snow'?

[keilg1]

Love it when the light hits it just right, like moonlight on freshly fallen snow. Can mesmerize you a bit, no?

What year? What mint? What VAM?

Mountain range, trees...

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Wispy clouds above a soaring eagle...

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A bit of fallen foliage...

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And a chimney stack to boot?

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[vamsterdam]

What is it, for all of those who don’t see a date, mintmark, or cert?

[Geseas]

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(The oval reflection in the child's lense is a Morgan Silver dollar on my copy of this photo)

[vamsterdam]

No date, mint mark, or vam number? Amazing.

[vampicker]

It's a puzzle, and you don't get to look at the top of the box

A couple of die cracks would give this away in an instant if I'm right

[Unc90o]

One of Lee's favorite. Part of a very short set, and this R7 ended up more like an R5.

[keilg1]

It's a puzzle, and you don't get to look at the top of the box

A couple of die cracks would give this away in an instant if I'm right

You nailed it. The die cracks would have made it too easy. Feel free to offer up your own fun guidance?

Part of 'joy' is being allowed to let the mind wander and wonder... This time of year we should do less 'doing' and more being.

On this note I'll echo your gift @vampicker and give the others another hint: the star rose in the east...

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Keep guessing?

[vampicker]

There are a number of cracks, but one is more dramatic than the others

[messydesk]

OK, I think I know this one.

[keilg1]

There are a number of cracks, but one is more dramatic than the others

Yes, indeed. And since most have been good little boys and girls, they deserve a bit more help. Remember, big brother, er Santa, knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake?!

Presents often come wrapped and part of the fun is in in the unwrapping, right? So... here's some partial pictures of some of the major cracks, but like peeking under the partially unwrapped gift, you'll need to be patient to see the full version?

In no particular order to keep things fun...

OK, one more hint: This year some amazing story tellers were born. NO, not Charles Dickens (his was born a lucky number of decades earlier), but those who were include one who helped the world "think thoughtful thoughts," one warned us "Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind." and one whose famous character reminded us that "Love loves to love love."

@vampicker , what other hints would you add?!

Thanks all for playing along.

[vampicker]

Gee, something will hit me

[...kenny]

Knew she looked familiar. was the first to complete set in SSDC register more than a couple years ago...

[Mediocrates007]

If I’m guessing correctly, this would fit in with the clashed set in building from that mint. Also… WOW!

[Mhomei]

I am 82 and O and by the way I would have to guess 38 times with a B

[keilg1]

I am 82 and O and by the way I would have to guess 38 times with a B

You, and she, look damned great for 82! No-O need to guess any more times. Some might say you have a certain WOW! factor... Dr. Mark would agree, I'm sure. Thirty eight is plenty of guesses - no more!

The answer for those of you left reading this post like a long list of presents from your grandchildren: http://ec2-13-58-222-16.us-east-2.compu ... -O_VAM-38B

My apologies, however, misrepresenting Mr. Dickens age - he was born a "lucky number plus one" (7+1=8) decades before (1802 not 1812).

Thanks A.A. Milne via Pooh, Virginia Woolf speaking for herself and Ulysses via James Joyce for their contributions - as well as yours to help whittle the time away - see, I can whittle other things and burl bowls for LVA?

I've been admiring this variety for a while, reveling in the dual clashing, numerous cracks, and mine is not as advanced a stage as I've seen and my PCGS64 beauty isn't even close to the top pop. What I have, though, is a joy to me this time of year as well as all the other seasons.

I especially like the clashing that look like reflected conifer trees but the camera won't catch both above and below the wreath leaf at the same time:

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All-in-all hopefully a fun little jaunt down a pleasant lane called VAM road I'm honored to travel along with you all along.