1881-P VAM-15

Description

Martin Field discovered this Philadelphia Mint Morgan Dollar variety in July 1982, identifying doubled die characteristics on the second numeral 1 in the date. The doubling appears below the upper crossbar of the second 1, producing a secondary impression that separates this die from the many other 1881 obverse dies used during the year's production run. An additional diagnostic appears on the first 8, which carries a short die chip at the top left inside of the upper loop — a raised imperfection transferred from the die to every coin struck from this die pair. Classified as III2 15 - C3d, the Roman numeral III2 identifies the obverse die class while C3d designates a normal reverse die with a specific stage suffix. Brent Fogelberg revised the variety's documentation in 2021 to reflect current attribution standards. George T. Morgan's Liberty Head design, with its detailed portrait featuring a Phrygian cap and cotton-wheat wreath, provides numerous fine elements where subtle doubling can manifest. Collectors examining 1881 Philadelphia Morgan Dollars should inspect the lower portion of the date's second 1 under magnification, using the die chip on the first 8 as a confirming marker. =1881-P VAM-15 Doubled Second 1= Discovered by Martin Field, July 1982.

External References