why is it called "Doubled Dash"?

[DHalladay]

This has been a mystery to me for years – Does anyone know why the 1885-CC VAM 4 is called "Doubled Dash"?
Ever since the first time I saw one, I have thought the lump under the second 8 in the date is clearly a broken-away chunk from the die.

dashunder8.jpg (724.15 KiB) Viewed 2605 times

[messydesk]

The VAM book calls it a "Thick Dash." I've never heard of it called a doubled dash. Nevertheless, I agree that it is a die break that probably ended at the dash.

The bigger naming mystery is the 79-CC VAM 3 being called "capped die," which makes no sense regardless of how you try to spin it, yet it is in common use.

[DHalladay]

John, "Doubled Dash" is what PCGS puts on its holders.
"Broken 8" truly seems like a more accurate name.

[vampicker]

Double Dash is the name from the Hot 50, so it would be Jeff Oxman. Double Dash just sounds more interesting than little lump of a break under 8. The feature does have a layered look to it. Whatever we call it, there doesn't appear to be a pre-dash or break stage.

[ashmore86]

If you look closely at the "dash" you will see that at about the halfway point, it appears to be a two-dash feature. One lower than the other. Not that either exists without the other, though. But, that is where it came from for what it is worth.