Wave pattern 1886 P

[ShamShield]

What makes this cool wave like pattern?

[ShamShield]

Also looking for help with the Vam Identification.

Pic 3 is 5th star left obverse

Pic 4 is 1st star left obverse

[ShamShield]

More pics, I don't see any date doubling.

[ShamShield]

1st L in Dollar

[messydesk]

Heavy die erosion. Hundreds of thousands of strikes eventually mush out the die.

[lured_in_again]

Take a look at VAM 6B.... likely match

[messydesk]

Probably not 6B. Most I have seen have the n clash worn from the dies and are simply late die state VAM 6. This is by far the most common 1886 for marriage.

[ShamShield]

When I was looking at it I thought LDS of maybe a 6c but I wasn't sure with the additional cracks in bonnet and the stars plus the wearing of the letters especially towards the rim maybe from polishing?

[jrfaust]

Sure looks like a 6B to me. I have one in MS64 with VSS Sticker and it matches up with all the cracks and clash marks. Yours looks a little later die state than mine with the cracks a little more pronounced. Hope that made sense

[Vam-mysterio]

In cases such
As this:
A die stage study is required
As the 1886 vam 6.6A,6B,6c
Is a mess and not well defined yet
By the experts (JB,JR)
Such coins need to be send in
For verification and proper attribution
And assigment
But all 4 vams
Need to be sent at the same time
To clear this somewhat of a mess

[ShamShield]

I would be willing to send it in for die study.

[vampicker]

This one is fairly simple, and honestly, beaten to death. See messydesk's comment - that should have been the end of it. This is by far the most common 86 dollar. It is the stage that occurs after VAM 6B. The letter transfer is worn off the die. There are literally thousands of examples of this stage.
VAM 6 represents more that one die pair. It is generally unremarkable beyond the date position
VAM 6A is a different marriage than VAM 6B
A true VAM 6B with visible letter transfer is kinda tough, but not rare
The present VAM 6 LDS is as common as dirt. It might look cool, but it's not worth sending it in for attribution - ever. Still, when I get my next batch of coins to work on I would not be surprised to see one of these yet again. It's a good learning coin, but that's all it is
VAM 6C is almost certainly a mistake and will likely get killed off. I look at the LVA plate every so often and I want to poke the coin with a stick.

[keilg1]

@vampicker, thanks for the key insight (in addition to @messydesk's). I'm personally trying to avoid micro-vamming as I've found the rise in relativley inexpensive microscopes to be a poison as well as a cure, helping me see what is clearly beyond the unaided eye... and being neuroscientist I know the human brain LOVES to 'see' patterns on objects (or of objects) that clearly don't exist. I've been the victim of my own design many a time so this is not a statement of shame - just a fact.

I've found many of the die progression state designations (especially the scar face series) to be somewhat amusing but don't let them frustrate me. But I can see how they would others who need to make official decisions on things!

Hugely appreciative of your expertise and time to help educate us all.

[vampicker]

Thanks