1886 S VAM 4 Listable Break

[Dirtdoctor]

I went back and forth on whether this coin was VAM 2 S/S Top 100 or VAM 4 S/S Sides. Pretty much had settled on VAM 4 as best fit. However a couple things don't seem to match up well. Its a nice coin with no wear so there is no masking going on.

Is that a listable die break on reverse below the E. It runs as semi-circle, with displacement in the field, from between the denticles between the N and E, and over to the denticle below the right side of the E. Although it seems pretty obvious now, I was never looking for it and had not noticed.

Since I now was wondering again, I had noted the polishing lines in the field both on the reverse near the eagle, and on the obverse in front of Liberty's neck.

The eagle has a little topknot.

The I of In on the reverse has a die chip between the right and left vertical shafts of the letter.

Is this a VAM 4 with PMD or otherwise un-listable characteristics, or a new sub-variety? Sorry to photo-bomb you but I need to include pics to illustrate.

[Dirtdoctor]

Pics of the other attributes I described...

[alefzero]

Can't tell, but is that a planchet defect?

[messydesk]

Looks like a planchet defect below the E to me.

[Unc90o]

Rim burr?

[ljs123]

Looks like a planchet defect below the E to me.

What about the VAM JB?
I’m not feeling VAM-4.

[messydesk]

Looks like a planchet defect below the E to me.

What about the VAM JB?
I’m not feeling VAM-4.

I see the doubled serifs on the S of VAM 4, so I don't have a reason to say it isn't VAM 4. 86-S only has a few VAMs listed. A die study might show there are multiple obverses with that reverse.

[ljs123]

It looks like the date in this post has a slant to it, like the VW photos of VAMs 2 & 3. The VW photo of VAM-4 looks like the one is slightly higher creating a level date.

[vampicker]

This is a VAM 4. The reverse is a good match and the obverse has a fine crack from the point of the bust thru the lower two tips of the first left star, You can see this crack on the full obverse shot in this thread and on the second set of full coin shots on the VAM 4 page. There should also be a small die chip inside the nostril.
The mark on the reverse is in or on the planchet. I'd have to see it in hand,. There are three options - rim burr, lamination, or retained fragment. Can't really tell which from the pictures. but I'd lean towards a rim burr.

[ljs123]

Not the first I’ve been VAM wrong. I’m sure it won’t be the last.
Thank you JB & JR for all of your input on VW.

[Dirtdoctor]

Thanks very much. For what it's worth, in looking at my coin verses the first coin pictured on VAMWorld, the second 8 and the 6 have a diagonal die scratch on left side of bottom loop as well. I appreciate your input.