1880-P VAM-6

1880-P VAM-6 8/7 Spikes

Discovered by George Mallis, July 1964.
This coin is a Top 100 Morgan VAM.
6 III2 5 ∙ C3a (8/7 Spikes) (180) I-5 R-5
Obverse III2 5 – 8 repunched over 7 in date. Two serifs of 7 are clearly visible above 8 as two short spikes and crossbar of 7 is visible inside the upper loop of the 8. There is a slight bulge on left side of the 0 where original 9 was punched. 1 is tripled at the very bottom. First 8 is doubled slightly at bottom outside of lower loop. Second 8 is doubled slightly at lower left outside of upper loop. 0 is doubled at left inside. Fine die chips show on right inside first 8 lower loop.
Reverse C3a – Normal die with two fine diagonal die scratches in lower part of eagle’s right wing.
Comments:
1- The 1880-P VAM-6 is one of the tougher 1880 overdate coins, especially in high grades. The VAM is seen as two small spikes at the top of the 2nd 8 in the date. The left side is taller than the right and faint remains are seen in the upper left of the top loop. The finest known is a PCGS MS64. It was part of the Leroy Van Allen collection and sold in April, 2008.
2- Reverse progression believed to be VAM-10, VAM-5, VAM-5A, VAM-6 (JR)
3- Although classified as C3a, the reverse has die gouges on the right wing.

Additional Photos

The "image" of the underlying 7 really pops out in AU+ specimens in which you can see the activity in the top loop of the second 8:

All VAM-6 exhibit over polishing, such as in the hair under the right end of the cap.
A good PUP but there are a few other 1880-P VAM's with the rear hair polished away.

Right wing die gouges.

P1040636.jpg

Full Coin Photos

Large Full Coin Copyrighted© VAM-6 Images on loan to VAMworld courtesy ©[Heritage Auctions] ATTRIBUTED BY ANACS

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• The Top 100 Morgan Dollar Varieties: The VAM Keys Copyright 2009 RCI. With permission from the authors Michael S. Fey, Ph.D., [http://www.rcicoins.com], and Jeff Oxman, [http://www.vamlink.com]
  

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