1881-S VAM-11

Description

Discovered by Francis Davis in April 1974, 1881-S VAM-11 is catalogued as 11 III2 7 C3a with the designation Doubled 18-1. The obverse shows the 18-1 portion of the date doubled slightly at the very top. The first 8 carries additional surface doubling: at the top left inside and lower right outside of the upper loop, and at the right inside and bottom outside of the lower loop. The reverse is a standard C3a die with no independent variety features. This obverse die is shared with 1881-S VAM-2, VAM-16, VAM-21, and VAM-32, a family traceable to a single hub impression sequence. VAM-11 represents the early die state of 1881-S VAM-16, the two sharing a common obverse at different stages of wear. Morgan dollars are 90% silver, designed by George T. Morgan. San Francisco 1881 Morgans are generally well struck and popular with type and variety collectors alike. Collectors attributing VAM-11 should focus on the top of the 18 and the loop doublings of the first 8, then use die state indicators to distinguish from the late die state VAM-16. Obverse die-state analysis is essential across the 1881-S VAM family given the extensive shared-die relationships.

External References