1880 $1 VAM 53 Checkmark HOT 50 MS61 认证号19691116, PCGS号416085

Ron Guth

VAM 53 is one of the so-called "Checkmark" obverses, so-named because of a small raised mark on the left side of the upper loop of the second 8 of the date.  This obverse was also used on two other VAM varieties (VAM 29 and VAM 29A), so one must look at the reverse for the presence of a raised die line running at a 45 degree angle through the top cluster of leaves on the right side of the wreath.  VAM 53 is a fairly recent discovery (2008), so it is still rare today. 

PCGS has certified (as of August 2011) only five examples of this variety, but none yet in Prooflike or DMPL.