1881-S VAM-14A

Description

Discovered by Ben Wengel in May 2009, the 1881-S VAM-14A Morgan Dollar is classified as III21 - C3g (S/S Far Left, Pitted D) with die pairing number 184. The reverse (C3g) presents the key diagnostic features: an S/S Far Left repunched mintmark where the initial S impression was placed significantly east of its final position, creating visible remnants of the first punch to the right of the primary mintmark. Additionally, raised dots appear above the D in DOLLAR extending up to the wreath — a pitting pattern caused by rust formation on the die surface during periods of storage or inactivity, where moisture penetrated the die's protective coating and created small corrosion pits that transferred as raised dots on struck coins. The emission sequence documentation reveals this variety's extensive die-sharing history: the obverse die was used across four cataloged varieties in the sequence 1881-S VAM-48, then 1881-S VAM-14A, then 1881-S VAM-64/29 — documenting a single obverse die's journey through multiple reverse die pairings as reverses were replaced due to wear or damage while the obverse continued in service. Commentary notes confirm the same obverse die produced VAM-14A (and presumably VAM-14), VAM-29, VAM-48, and VAM-64 (with 64 and 29 being the same variety pending review). George T. Morgan's design was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1881, composed of 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The die-linking evidence across four or more VAM numbers using a single obverse die provides researchers with a production timeline for this die's service life at the San Francisco Mint.

External References