1881-P VAM-14A

Description

Discovered in 2010 by Mike Emswiler and designated 1881-P VAM-14A "Doubled 18-1, Clashed In and t," this Morgan Dollar variety carries catalog designation obverse III2-14 paired with reverse C3a. The obverse displays a clashed die with faint partial incuse impressions from the reverse: the letters "In" from the reverse inscription IN appear next to Liberty's head and neck area, while a partial incuse letter "t" from TRUST on the reverse shows in the right hair vee of the lower hair edge. These clashed letter traces were transferred when the obverse and reverse dies struck each other without a planchet, impressing reverse design elements in reverse incuse onto the obverse die surface. The "Doubled 18-1" component refers to doubling on the numerals 1, 8, and 1 of the 1881 date, combining hub doubling with die clash evidence on the same obverse working die. The A suffix in VAM-14A indicates this is a sub-variety or later discovery within the VAM-14 die family, sharing the same primary obverse die characteristics while exhibiting additional clash diagnostics. The 1881-P Morgan Dollar was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams on 38.1mm planchets, with a mintage of 9,163,000 pieces. Examine the area adjacent to Liberty's neck and the lower hair vee under 10x magnification for the faint incuse reverse letter transfers.

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