1879 (S) Morgan Dollar - VAM-32

Description

Discovered by Martin Field in August 1979, VAM-32 of the 1879-S Morgan dollar is designated III2 5 C3a as Doubled 9, from die pair (184). The obverse type III2 5 displays a closed 9 in the date with doubling visible on the left outside of the lower loop, providing a clear attribution pickup point under moderate magnification. Die markers include a diagonal polishing line at the second lower right hair junction and pitting in LIBERTY, both useful for confirming the specific obverse die. The reverse is a normal C3a type featuring a medium IV S mintmark centered and upright. The 1879-S Morgan dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint, and doubled date digits on Morgan dollars are actively sought by variety collectors because they offer visually accessible doubling detectable without high-powered optics. The closed 9 style combined with doubling on its lower loop distinguishes VAM-32 from other 1879-S date varieties that may display open 9 configurations or doubling on different digits. Martin Field's discovery added this variety to the catalog over four decades ago.

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