1878-P VAM-221A
Error
Description
1878-P VAM-221A Cut Down A, Doubled Left Reverse, Denticle Impressions Wreath Bow Discovered October, 2007 by Brian Raines. '''221A II1 -C3b (Cut Down A, Doubled Left Reverse, Denticle Impressions Wreath Bow) (180) ''' '''Obverse II 1–''' '''Reverse C3b–''' Four raised dots in a square to the left of wreath bow with lateral spacing of denticle spaces. '''DPIS – In 1878 dates were part of the master die so there is no variation in position. ;Emission Sequence :Obverse: :Reverse: '''Comments: # " About one third of all VAM-221A's have clashed denticles marks to the left of the wreath bow ". From Mark Witkower's excellent guide " Official Guide to the 1878 Reverse of ' 79 Varieties." The denticle impressions occur on the mid\late die state of the coin. I have 2 full PL examples of the early die state. No denticles marks are present. LDS versions have the denticle marks, but they progressively become weaker as the die wears. I have not found a terminal state for the 221A reverse. The only interesting fact that I’ve uncovered is the 221A obverse die was given a “good” repolishing after being separated from the reverse. Of course, it was then mated with the 228B reverse (line thru “O” of OF), thus creating a 227.1. I do have a 227.1 EDS with a very deep one-sided PL obverse. Unfortunately, there is no smoking gun on the 227.1 obverse that would allow me to conclude what caused the 221A reverse die’s demise. Mark" # Gouge transects the small wheat leaf below the letter "I" in PLURIBUS. This die is shared with the VAM-227-1.