Potential 1878 VAM Discovery - Significant Gouge and Break in "GOD" - LDS of VAM-83 High 1

[crhstreetwalker]

Hello everyone. I'm seeking opinions on whether this could be a potential new VAM I've discovered.

The specimen is an 1878 Morgan that came from a roll that hasn't seen the light of day since at least the 1960s. I sent it for grading and received it back from PCGS as MS61. The coin is undoubtedly a 7TF B1 Reverse, VAM-83 High 1.

What is particularly interesting about this coin is a significant die break and die gouge on the reverse of "G" in "GOD." The gouge appears to have a similar looking die "scratch" as seen on an 1890-O Comet. There are what appear to be die chips in the trail of the gouge, which leads to a significant die break on the "G" in "GOD". I've highlighted the gouges and break in red on the last photo.

I've looked at dozens of photos of VAM-83 reverses and can't find this die gouge. I believe it could be the LDS at the end of the die's life.

Thanks for any help!

[DHalladay]

It looks to me like a seriously heavy coin-to-coin scuff/scrape that has removed and/or moved metal from the G. Bottom line, it's a form of damage rather than a die variety or striking error.

@messydesk and @vampicker are the experts who can provide greater insight.

[crhstreetwalker]

It looks to me like a seriously heavy coin-to-coin scuff/scrape that has removed and/or moved metal from the G. Bottom line, it's a form of damage rather than a die variety or striking error.

@messydesk and @vampicker are the experts who can provide greater insight.

Thanks for your insight. Why I don't believe this is so is the presence of die chips in the trail of the gouge. These are raised impressions in the fields that are instilled in the die. Could such a perfect contact with a heavy object create this sort of impression without damaging the rest of the coin and surrounding area? I'm no expert, but it would be fascinating if this were true, as I've never seen something like it before.

[LateDateMorganGuy]

Yup, you don't need an expert to see PMD plain as day. Sorry, but no cigar.

[messydesk]

Heavy scrape on the G and into the field below it, nothing more.

[Geseas]

...maybe the damage on top of 'N' IN GOD is from the same event?

[UNCLE BINGO]

Welcome to the forum

[VamHelsing]

PMD. PMD. PMD.