Ron,
The most glaring thing for me when I looked at this before you even sent it to me was
that it was difficult which pups were present on the various die states. Even going back
and forth with pictures I am still not sure if one that is present in state 1 is also present
in others and so on.
When comparing anything it good to have as much next to each other as possible. My
suggestion would be to have either create a table or a group of five pictures next to
each other showing the various marks that are present something like this below for
the pictures. This would be a separate sheet with a link to the VAM pages associated
with the links or could be at the top of each state page.
State 1 (7) State 2 (7A)
1888-P VAM-7 Doubled Reverse, Die
Chips
Discovered by Oscar Simpson, April 1977.
This coin is a Hot 50 Morgan VAM.
7 (revised) III 25 · C3d (Near Slanted Date, Doubled Wreath, Die Gouge State 1) ( ?
) I-3 R-5
Obverse III 25– Date set further left than normal and slanted with 1 closer to rim than
last 8.
Reverse C3d– Slightly doubled middle leaves in wreath above NI in UNITED, O in
ONE and LAR in DOLLAR. First die gouge state with line below seventh tail feather,
short line below bottom of eagle’s left wing and a series of lines from top inside edge of
eagle’s left wing up through u s in trust. I would change the order of the text or the
pictures so the order of reading matched the order of pictures. Would also place in
order of importance if known or thought.
COMMENTS: The VAM-7 shows distinctive reverse doubling, as with each of the 1888
DDR Morgans. However, the VAM-7's unique feature is the sea of die chips lapping up
against the reverse devices. It is unparalleled in the Morgan series and dazzling to the
eye, especially when you gaze upon a nice uncirculated specimen.
The different stages of the die life have now been categorized as VAMs 7, 7A , 7B , 7C ,
and 7D . If you only seek one of the 1888 DDRs to fill your Hot 50 hole, the VAM-7 is a
real head-turner.
1888-P VAM-7A Near Slanted Date,
Doubled Wreath, Die Gouge State 2
Discovered by Brent Fogelberg, Feb. 2003.
This coin is a Hot 50 Morgan VAM.
7A (revised) III 25 · C3d (Near Slanted Date, Doubled Wreath, Die Gouge State 2)
(190) I-3 R-5
Obverse III 25– Date set further left than normal and slanted with 1 closer to rim than
last 8.
Reverse C3d– Die gouge lines added above lower, middle and top arrow heads. Not sure
of the word “added”. Maybe new or not in state 1 or maybe just say die state 2.
COMMENTS: The different stages of the VAM-7 die life have now been categorized as
VAMs 7 , 7A , 7B , 7C , and 7D .
1888-P VAM-7B Near Slanted Date,
Doubled Wreath, Die Gouge State 3
Discovered by Brent Fogelberg, Feb. 2003.
This coin is a Hot 50 Morgan VAM.
7B (revised) III 25 · C3d (Near Slanted Date, Doubled Wreath, Die Gouge State 3)
(190) I-3 R-5
Obverse III 25– Date set further left than normal and slanted with 1 closer to rim than
last 8.
Reverse C3d– Lines above eagle’s left wing have disappeared except for lower
one.Which one? Need picture explaining. Die gouge lines added as short vertical lines at
bottom of eagle’s right wing and series of lines between eagle’s left wing and body up to
neck. Again I am not sure what this is talking about. It sounds like what is shown in
stage 2. Need pictures.
COMMENTS: The different stages of the VAM-7 die life have now been categorized as
VAMs 7 , 7A , 7B , 7C , and 7D .
1888-P VAM-7C Near Slanted Date,
Doubled Wreath, Die Gouge State 4
Discovered by Oscar Simpson, April 1977.
This coin is a Hot 50 Morgan VAM.
7C III 25 · C3d (Near Slanted Date, Doubled Wreath, Die Gouge State 4) (190) I-3
R-5
Obverse III 25– Date set further left than normal and slanted with 1 closer to rim than
last 8.
Reverse C3d– Die gouge line added thru lower tail feathers, not sure which this is in
picture line below middle of olive branch and line in middle of tail feathers above olive
branch.need picture Short horizontal die gouge at bottom of eagle’s left wing. Add
arrow to picture Some have lines to lower tail feathers above olive branch. Heavy die
wear with erosion around letters of UNITED STATES & In God We Trust.
COMMENTS: The different stages of the VAM-7 die life have now been categorized as
VAMs 7 , 7A , 7B , 7C , and 7D .
1888-P VAM-7D Near Slanted Date,
Doubled Wreath, Die Gouge State 5
This coin is a Hot 50 Morgan VAM.
7D (revised) III 25 · C3d (Near Slanted Date, Doubled Wreath, Die Gouge State 5) (
? ) I-3 R-4
Obverse III 25– Date set further left than normal and slanted with 1 closer to rim than
last 8.
Reverse C3d– Die gouge line added to lower part of tail feathers above olive branch,
back of top arrow head and above right end of olive branch. Die further worn and eroded.
COMMENTS: The different stages of the VAM-7 die life have now been categorized as
VAMs 7, 7A , 7B , 7C , and 7D .
Additional gouge between end of olive branch and arrowhead, and gouge at back of top
arrowhead.
LVA state 4 picture shown in state 5??