1887-O VAM-18 curiosity or something different (undescribed 7/7 variant)?

[keilg1]

Picked this up in the past because it has a high degree of prooflike mirroring - especially for an AU58 (PGCS) coin - and it looked to be interesting for a different reason. I'm hoping I'm right... but would like your advice.

Not many far date varieties so I thought this would be easy to pin down. That is, until I looked at the date and saw what I originally thought to be PMD... that I'm convinced isn't.

The only potential match I can find is the VAM-18, mostly based on generic descriptions as welll as some PUP lines in LIBERTY, but I think you'll agree there is a wonderfully strong doubling of the 7 that is not described.

First, FCPs, then the circumspect date doubling, then additional PUPs...

Thoughts?

1887-O_5850_FCO-cropped.jpg (197.4 KiB) Viewed 831 times

1887-O_5850_FCR-cropped.jpg (193.3 KiB) Viewed 831 times

1887-O_5850_nearly-far-date.jpg (128.78 KiB) Viewed 831 times

1887-O_5850_2x_7_digit.jpg (140.84 KiB) Viewed 831 times

1887-O_5850_2x_7_digit_alt-angles.jpg (86 KiB) Viewed 831 times

The crescent shape above the lefthand top of the 7 digit certainly looks like a remnant of a previously struck 7 - importantly, the 'real' digit has no PMD/hits and there is no depression of something hitting it that might explain the extra metal coming off the field? The field in-between the crescent and the 'real' digit is as semi-PL as the rest of the fields surrounding the area.

Extra pictures to follow...

[keilg1]

More for you to see...

1887-O_5850_RTY-scratches.jpg (117.45 KiB) Viewed 829 times

NOTE: This is why I thouht this a VAM-18 as these PUP scratches look similar...

1887-O_5850_low-hair-scratches.jpg (132.84 KiB) Viewed 829 times

1887-O_5850_MM.jpg (142.48 KiB) Viewed 829 times

NOTE: The MM placement might not align with the VAM-18 but it is close...

1887-O_5850_right-wing-scratch-PUP.jpg (108.74 KiB) Viewed 829 times

1887-O_5850_neck-wing-gap.jpg (122.22 KiB) Viewed 829 times

[keilg1]

Finally, a few extra potential PUPs.

Again, appreciate your thoughts.

[Albannach]

I see the same “checkmark” in both 7 pics
I also see what looks like your crescent “blob” and check in the page pics

[MarkyB]

The 7 on VAM 17 may also match.

[Jodemyer]

I think the MM location matches 17. I think the MM on 18 is a bit higher.

[Albannach]

I think you stumbled onto a mystery of stages and potential multiple list…
There may have been 2 marriages…rev swapped?
I think you need a V 17 to really drill it down
Good luck

[keilg1]

Thanks, all. Saw the description of VAM-17 but the text and picture (with arrow) didn't seem to match what I have: no apparent doubling of the first 8 and the arrow points to the righthand side of the 7 digit (not above it on the left).

Agree the MM looks more like the 17 than the 18 but the RTY scratches are likely too similar to the 18 to be chance (if I read them correctly).

Getting ahold of Martin Field's VAM-17 DC (back in 1979) might pose a very difficult task. @messydesk or @vampicker what would you suggest I do at this point?

[vampicker]

Did any of you look at the 17A attributed by Van Allen? How about looking in the book versus trusting photos posted to the wiki? It's a solid lesson in checking sources if you're intent on doing a deep dive into any date.
If this coin crossed my desk I'd call it VAM 17 without further comment

[keilg1]

Did any of you look at the 17A attributed by Van Allen? How about looking in the book versus trusting photos posted to the wiki? It's a solid lesson in checking sources if you're intent on doing a deep dive into any date.
If this coin crossed my desk I'd call it VAM 17 without further comment

Utterly brilliant and thanks for the reminder to 'go to source' as much as possible.

[vampicker]

The VAM World pages are our best resource, but it's always worth remembering there are limitations.

Also, we don't know for certain if this obverse is only paired with this reverse, but it is the reverse found on the 17A

[Unc90o]

...another crushed hope