1896-P VAM-20

Description

1896-P VAM-20 Bar "6" Discovered by John Baumgart April 2001 This coin is a Hot 50 Morgan VAM 20(formerly 1A) III2 20 · C3a (Bar 6 Over 6) (185) Obverse III2 20– 6 in date has thick curved bar on right inside of lower loop that matches curve of left side of 6. A short tip also shows at right inside of upper loop that continues the left side of the first punched 6. A very large shift of the digit punch. Date at right edge of lateral position. Die chip at hair front. Reverse C3a. DPIS - ;Emission Sequence :Obverse: :Reverse: Comments: # If you enjoy controversy in die varieties, the [[1896-P VAM-20 (Formerly1A) is for you. This variety shows a vertical line in the loop of the "6" of the date. Researchers debate the source of the line. Many say it is a die gouge, including Van Allen. Others maintain it is a 6/4 overdate, including Walter Breen (#5645 in Walter Breen's Complete Encyclopedia of U.S. and Colonial Coins). # This is the 6 in the description. Other theories exist. A plausible one that has not been discussed is this was a rogue digit placement marker or a tooling artifact in modifying an unused or little used 1895 obverse die. There is also a long vertical die scratch in front of the eye, chips upper right inside the ear, and small but distinct scratches all around the ear.

External References