Need help with an 1879

[DurhamJnKY]

I thought it was a VAM 99 based on the diagonal polish line in the D shaped void, but the angle looks wrong and there isn't a thread in the left wing.

When looking for other pick up points, I found a long, curved vertical thread on the cheek that goes from even with the bottom of the earlobe down into the neck. I checked all the VAM's with thread-like impressions and settled on VAM 43. The coin does have the thread in the hair front and I can make out some doubling in the wreath leaves.

Since most of the doubling has worn away, I think it's a later die state but since there aren't any full coin pics, I'm not sure if the thread on her cheek is new or not.

Any help would be appreciated.

[DurhamJnKY]

And...

[MarkWitkower]

Hi DurhamJnKY.

The photos that you took are excellent and clearly highlight the key pick-up-points (PUPs) on the coin. On the obverse, the polishing line transecting the jaw/upper neck gives the obverse away. On the reverse, the series of polishing lines in the Eagle's upper and lower tail feathers lock the reverse in!

You are the proud owner of a VAM 87.

Mark

[DurhamJnKY]

Thank you very much Mark.