1885-S VAM-1, doubled MM or RPM?

[TMK]

I have an 1885-S that I’m working through the attribution process for.

It seems to fit the VAM-1 designation, but I think I see a doubled MM (or a RPM). I don’t see any of the pick-ups for a VAM-6 or VAM-9.

I note that the VAM-1 description notes that at least one image is “Under review for MM doubling”. Could that be what this is?

I’ve included the PCGS TrueView along with some close in shots of the MM. Am I seeing things again?

[TMK]

More pics of the MM. I rotated it around to see if I could capture any additional details of the MM.

I'm stumped. None of the VAM-6 attributions are there and yet I see doubling around the MM. RPM or MD?

Ideas?

[TMK]

Since I was stumped I posted over at the CoinCommunity VAM forum too and Zurie gave me some great direction.

I had looked at the VAM-7, but since my coin doesn't exhibit any of the OBV markers I had rejected it. On the OBV I don't see any date doubling, nothing in LIBERTY that matches (no polishing lines in the T or Y, chips in the R, etc.). I moved past it.

On the REV of my coin however, It does share the markers for the VAM-7 REV with the die chip next to the leaves to the right of E. The image for this on VAM-7 includes some very interesting text: "Oct. 2021 this coin was attributed by LVA as 1885-S VAM-1. He commented that the die chip was too small to list so 'VAM-1'. It continues: "In reality - this is a match for the 1885-S VAM-7A save the VAM-7A has a second die chip." My reverse also shares all the other pick ups against the VAM7 REV: the die scratches to the let and right of the left talon, scratch between the neck and the right wing, etc. I don't have the die flake in the left wreath as the VAM-7A does (if I look real hard I see perhaps the faint outline/start of the lowest part of the chip but that is likely my mind playing tricks).

So, it appears that whatever I've have shares the same REV (Reverse III2-6) die as the VAM-7/7-A. but with perhaps the VAM-1 OBV (Obverse III2-1)? I don't think I have a far date (like in VAM-5, Obverse III2-5). I also checked the OBV die for the VAM-10 (and 5) -- Obverse III26- if I convince myself there is very slight date doubling, can I find any of the other pick-ups? I cannot find any of the VAM-10 OBV pickups (no lines above the cotton leaf EDS --> LDS), no polishing lines in RTY (EDS --LDS), no polishing lines between the cotton boils (EDS --> LDS). So, I am left with the "normal" VAM-1 OBV (Obverse III2-1).

If it is a combination of the VAM-1 OBV (Obverse III2-1) and the VAM-7 REV (Rev III2-6) that might also explain the note the accompanies the REV MM comment on the VAM-1 page that the MM is "Under Review for MM doubling?"

Gulp, I'm too much of a noob to say it, but, potentially a new VAM?

[Jodemyer]

Nice Morgan!
Do you have a closeup of Liberty and the date?

[TMK]

Hi @Jodemyer here you go. I have to the OBV in two frames because my rig isn't good enough to shoot the whole thing. (BTW I rotated the dates before I posted them, they still show up upside down, sorry).

[TMK]

Here are three very close in shots of the date -

[Jodemyer]

Thanks! My phone does that upside down stuff sometimes, no matter what I try it just wants to be upside down.
I thought I saw one of the markers in Liberty on the top left corner of the R for vam 7. But I can't tell by pics, they blurr when I enlarge them.

[vampicker]

The mintmark on this piece is strike doubled, and not an RPM. Your reverse does match the markers for the VAM 7 reverse die. The obverse looks like a good match for VAM 7 as well based on the marker in the R you pictured. I'd call this a VAM 7 if it crossed my desk, even though the 'doubled date' doesn't really show.

[TMK]

Thanks @vampicker and @Jodemyer. I definitely can't get/see the date doubling, but I appreciate all of the help, and especially on the education re: strike doubling of the MM. VAM-7 it is!