1879-P VAM-1H
Error
Description
Discovered by Mark Witkower in June 2022, the 1879-P VAM-1H Morgan Dollar is classified as III2 1 - C3a with a rarity rating of 179 and bears the descriptive label "Lines in 9, Gouges in Bow." The obverse shows an odd patch of lines in the lower loop of the numeral 9 in the date, with additional die markers including strong horizontal lines to the left of the feature colloquially known among Morgan specialists as the "bearclaw," plus a diagonal line pointing downward to the left from the underside of Liberty's eyelid. The Reverse C3a die carries a pair of shallow parallel horizontal gouges running across the bow opening of the wreath. The bearclaw reference identifies a specific area of the die surface familiar to experienced Morgan Dollar variety hunters, and its proximity to the horizontal line markers helps orient collectors examining the obverse. As a relatively recent discovery, the VAM-1H is still being studied for die state progression and population, making it an active area of interest within the 1879 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar die marriage network.
External References
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