1881-S VAM-25

Description

Discovered by Martin Field in December 1978, the 1881-S VAM-25 Morgan Dollar is classified as III2 12 - C3a (Doubled 18) with die pairing number 184. The obverse (III2 12) has been die-polished down somewhat but still retains diagnostic doubling: the first 1 is doubled on the right side, and the first 8 presents a complex multi-layered hub impression — tripled at the bottom surface and edge of the lower loop, doubled at the top inside of the lower loop, and doubled at the top inside and lower left outside of the upper loop. The second 8 shows a bulge at the top left outside of the lower loop. This graduated doubling pattern across the two 8s — with the first 8 showing tripling in some areas and doubling in others — documents a hub that shifted progressively during at least three impression contacts, each depositing design detail at slightly different positions. The reverse (C3a) is classified as a normal die with no significant anomalies. A community note indicates this variety appears to be the same as 1881-S VAM-66, suggesting a potential future consolidation of catalog entries pending further research. 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 San Francisco Mint was known for generally superior strike quality and die maintenance during this period. The die polishing documented on the obverse represents a deliberate Mint intervention to extend die life, though it was insufficient to completely obscure the hub doubling on the date digits — a common outcome when the doubling is deep enough to survive surface remediation.

External References