Scarce EDS of 78-S VAM 16 now VAM 16A

[messydesk]

I had a chance to look at a scarce early die stage of the 78-S VAM 16 side-by-side with the one everyone has (thanks @lewisr2). The EDS has the gouge in the eagle's right wing extending far into the left field, while the more common one has it polished away, along with a light clash. This is the same reverse die used on VAM 20, which has no gouge in the wing at all, so the gouge is probably incidental damage that happened when the obverse die was changed.

[vamnuke]

Fortunately, I have one! Fortunately, no new hole as I’ve got a 2-sided clashed LDS ( no letter transfer). Thanks goes out to Lew for getting the EDS recognized.

[vamnuke]

Earliest rev die is 20; EDS are 2-sided PL; LDS is 2-sided clashed; then came the EDS 16; my example is strong semi-PL; there are a couple of shorter gouges above the big one; not sure if die wear or polishing shortened the gouges (the standard one); LDS is 2–sided clashed; then cleaned up and used for 28.

[Jodemyer]

I posted one on CCF at beginning of the month. Glad to know it now has it's own attribution! I had wondered about the gouge extending so far into the field! Thanks for the great info!

[lewisr2]

There are four gouges above the gouge in the field, two about the same size then two shorter ones.

[Jodemyer]

Will the 16A have a different interest and Rarity number than the 16? Since it is scarce? Will it be added to any of the lists such as Top 100 or WOW etc, the doubling is as nice or very close to the doubling on the 111, 22 and 77. Just curious and learning, not sure how that works. (and since I have one I am just wishful thinking )

[messydesk]

Will the 16A have a different interest and Rarity number than the 16? Since it is scarce?

Rarity numbers are no longer used in additions to the VAM catalog. Comments on the wiki can attest to the rarity of a particular variety based on experience. When I spoke with Larry Briggs at the show, he confirmed that this is a rare one, having looked at over 100,000 78-S dollars.

Will it be added to any of the lists such as Top 100 or WOW etc, the doubling is as nice or very close to the doubling on the 111, 22 and 77. Just curious and learning, not sure how that works. (and since I have one I am just wishful thinking )

No, these lists are not subject to change except by their authors and only then under extreme circumstances, such as when it's determined that a particular VAM doesn't exist.

[Jodemyer]

Thankyou messydesk! I appreciate it! I was curious how that works!

[fogie]

I have added the aforementioned new discovery to the SSDC registry and it is ready to populate....(& congratulations).

[lewisr2]

Thanks Brent.

[pup_picker]

is the coin pictured in this thread the ngc 63 in the census? the coin here sure looks unc.

also it looks like a SUPER DUPER tough find.

[lewisr2]

No.
The V-16A pictured above is in the mail back to me now.
It is a PCGS 62.

[vamnuke]

Mine will be in the next shipment to VSS.

[tbconcrete]

Not sure I agree with the separate listing. I also think Leroy lumped many Obv/Rev dies into one VAM with D1,D2,D4,D4 and D5, which I dint like either. But the new standards will be good for the hobby. 78S dies have many new listings coming in the near future. VAM46 is one I can think of with the many stages of the berry break. Lew has done a lot of work with that one. JR labeled my V1B as EDS and I wonder if that listing is worth the separate listing. Maybe JR can chime in if its worth another trip to the VAM Lords. It is very EDS. I have about ten examples that show multiple stages.
tiny

[78-sLongnock]

Thanks Lew for your “sharp” eye for identifying the differences in 1878-S vam 16 and now vam 16A.
Here are pics of a high grade but heavily Toned OB but clear Rev Vam 16A.

[keilg1]

Interesting, the 1991 original 'big book' only mentioned the one with the massive scratch into the field with clear picture of it. I2/R4 supposedly - thankfully we're not using I and R ratings anymore... this is a good example of those maybe being true-ish at some time but neither the case now!

Lovely coin that has eluded my searches thus far. Plenty of scratched wing versions but no extensions, unfortunately.

The hunt continues!

[lewisr2]

The 1st edition VAM book by Leroy Van Allen& A. George Mallis did not have photos of 78-S VAM-16.
The 1st edition only listed 78-S VAMs 1 to 11.
The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th editions had V-16 photos and one of the reverse photos was with the die gouge on the field.
So, the gouge on the field has been known since 1976.