1904-O VAM-28A and VAM-32 observation

[Mediocrates007]

I noticed something I hadn’t expected when comparing the reverse of 1904-O VAM-28A and VAM-32. While I know they share an obverse (along with VAM-2A), I hadn’t expected to find the reverse of VAM-32 also clashed.

I tried looking for faint marks of the second clash on the obverse of VAM-32, but with only a 10x loupe and my camera, I didn’t see a difference with the obverse VAM-28A.

I compared 3x VAM-32 against 2x VAM-28A and 1x VAM-2A. Here are some pictures of my observations. Nothing earth shattering or ground breaking, but I searched the forum and didn’t see this little observation discussed before.

[LateDateMorganGuy]

You have stumbled across one of the conundrums of the 1904-O series. The best explanation is this:

An anomaly in the series involves the VAM-32. Both obverse and reverse dies were involved in clash episodes at some point in time. However, the rotation of the reverse clash marks in relation to the obverse clash marks points towards the clash episodes occurring in different die marriages prior to the marriage of the VAM-32 die pair. The VAM-18 Die #2 was the preceeding die marriage that clashed. The obverse die was polished and went to the VAM-35 marriage. The reverse die was polished and went to the VAM-32 marriage. While pre-clashed VAM-18 Die #2 coins can be found, no clashed coin of VAM-18 Die #2 has surfaced.

If you can find the missing link clashed V18.2, then you would have quite a find IMHO.

[Mediocrates007]

You have stumbled across one of the conundrums of the 1904-O series. The best explanation is this:

An anomaly in the series involves the VAM-32. Both obverse and reverse dies were involved in clash episodes at some point in time. However, the rotation of the reverse clash marks in relation to the obverse clash marks points towards the clash episodes occurring in different die marriages prior to the marriage of the VAM-32 die pair. The VAM-18 Die #2 was the preceeding die marriage that clashed. The obverse die was polished and went to the VAM-35 marriage. The reverse die was polished and went to the VAM-32 marriage. While pre-clashed VAM-18 Die #2 coins can be found, no clashed coin of VAM-18 Die #2 has surfaced.

If you can find the missing link clashed V18.2, then you would have quite a find IMHO.

Thank you for that explanation! I was beginning to think the reverse had a separate die marriage, but as I’m better at just finding things than explaining things, I was lost.

What you said makes sense and I guess the search continues for that 18.2.

[Mediocrates007]

@LateDateMorganGuy is that just a typographical error on the VAM-18 page where it says die #2 same reverse as VAM-23?

The 18.2 wreath bow certainly looks like VAM-32’s.

Edit: I see now, VAM-23 is now 48.

[LateDateMorganGuy]

There was a VAM-e issued on this subject if you are interested and can find it.

It was dated March 19, 2011 Volume 8 Issue 7, entitled, "Where is the 1904-O Missing Link?"

It will provide more insight and background.

[Mediocrates007]

There was a VAM-e issued on this subject if you are interested and can find it.

It was dated March 19, 2011 Volume 8 Issue 7, entitled, "Where is the 1904-O Missing Link?"

It will provide more insight and background.

I appreciate the continued support on this! I have access to the SSDC so I’ll take a look at the issue.