1878 7/8TF Attribution Help Needed, Please (ANSWERED - VAM 38)

[Raybob15239]

Recently picked up an 1878 7/8TF in a Fleabay auction. It arrived in today's mail. The coin is an 7/8 TF, but I am having trouble matching it to the existing VAMs. Sorry for the lousy pics. Used a 10x loupe held against my cell phone camera.

Here's the tail feathers:

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Here are the wings. There is an over polished area on the left wing:

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The motto is doubled as well:

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On the obverse, there is extreme doubling of LIBERTY and the doubling/tripling of the bolls:

20221003_094411.jpg (76.62 KiB) Viewed 602 times

Will need to finish loading pics in the comments....

[Raybob15239]

Continuing with the doubling on Liberty and the bolls:

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20221003_094801.jpg (116.54 KiB) Viewed 601 times

[Raybob15239]

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20221003_094459.jpg (113.5 KiB) Viewed 600 times

20221003_094801.jpg (116.54 KiB) Viewed 600 times

[ljs123]

Could it be 38?

[hairfield1]

Looks like a 38 to me Lee

[morganman]

Pics are tough but your doubling of bolls statement lends toward v 33
Not great at 7/8 attrib so just a shot

[Raybob15239]

Thanks. I had ruled out 33 as none of the other attributes of 33 are present. 38 is a strong possibility, as there are many attributes of the obverse matching. Some differences on the reverse, though. (Probably a stage of 38.)

[vampicker]

Look for a teardrop shaped die scratch at the back of the eye. It's a one and done marker for 38

[keilg1]

All the attributes/PUPs of the 38 are seen to my eye but not those of the 33. My vote is officially in and awaits confirmation from the more experienced voices...

[messydesk]

Looks like 38 from here.

[Raybob15239]

Thanks, everyone. Got it home last night under the scope (much better than a poor quality, Chinese 10x loupe). Teardrop is there (thank you JR!). VAM 38 it is, and one that I did not have, so a good pick-up on the 'Bay.

One last question for JB and JR, the die chip on the 8; is that something or just die poop?

RMR 1878 7-8TF Date 1.JPG (41.39 KiB) Viewed 513 times

RMR 1878 7-8TF Date 2.JPG (12.05 KiB) Viewed 513 times

[morganman]

Although common in vam circles vam 38 is cool and really loved by collectors, hence
value has increased quite a bit which surprises me due to mkt conditions the last few yrs
I actively buy em when decently priced, as they have proven good value

[Raybob15239]

@morganman , just curious; what are these going for these days? I picked this up for $102 (bidding went high in the last minute and I had placed a nuclear bid (it was listed as a 7TF, not a 7/8; apparently a couple of others picked up on it being a 7/8).

[vampicker]

Yeah, the thing on the 8 is die poop like you thought. VAM 38 isn't rare by any measure, but there's a lot going on. Great variety to look at

[Raybob15239]

@vampicker, turns out, it's not even die poop. Got it under the scope and it's PMD.

[vampicker]

Post die poop!