1882-P VAM-23

Description

Among the more visually distinctive Philadelphia Morgan dollar varieties, VAM-23 is cataloged under classification III2 22 with a C3a reverse, titled 8 in Denticles, and carries a rarity rating of 180. The defining feature appears in two adjacent denticle spaces between the 1 and 8, where the top of an extra 8 digit shows as two raised and curved lines impressed into the border denticles. Two short die scratches from the denticles at the second right star provide an additional obverse diagnostic. In late die states, die cracks develop around the fifth and sixth right stars with a break from the fifth star to the hair, though the 8-in-denticles feature has typically worn away by this stage. The reverse C3a die carries a die gouge on the lower right side of the eagle's neck extending to the wing edge. This reverse also served on 1882-P VAM-1E. The 8-in-denticles feature likely resulted from an errant hub impression that partially stamped a digit into the border area, making early die state specimens essential for clear attribution.

External References