Help with 1879-S VAM 21

[AlexP]

Hi all! This is my first post as I have just recently gotten into VAMs.

One VAM I am fairly confident I've identified is my 1879-S as VAM 21. I will attach some photos to help confirm.

My main question is what is going on around the 18 in the date? Is it just strange looking damage, or clashing? I have looked a fair bit at the clashing pictures on this site to see what letters it could be, but maybe I am just looking for something I want and not seeing it objectively.

Any help would be appreciated!

I'm not sure of the best way to add photos, so for now here is an imgur link to the album!

https://imgur.com/a/LAK3djN

[Vam-mysterio]

Hi
Welcome to Vamworld
Do you have a picture of the hair above date
And a picture of the leaves at ONE on reverse

[AlexP]

Hi
Welcome to Vamworld
Do you have a picture of the hair above date
And a picture of the leaves at ONE on reverse

Yes! I have attached those pictures here. I have struggled to see the engravings on the leaves, but I think it's that I don't really know what I'm looking for. I also had trouble getting the lighting right on the polishing lines (shooting through a slab!).

[Vam-mysterio]

Yeap
Vam 21

[AlexP]

Yeap
Vam 21

Thank you for the help!