1882-S VAM-14A

Description

Combining three distinct diagnostics, the 1882-S VAM-14A — a sub-variety of VAM-14 — was discovered in 2019 by CascadeChris and is designated Doubled Date, Gouges Eagle's Leg, Concave Obverse. The doubled date shows secondary impressions on the date digits, while the reverse displays die gouges on the eagle's leg — physical damage marks transferred from the die surface. The concave obverse — the feature distinguishing VAM-14A from its parent — resulted from die polishing that removed enough material near the rim to create a slightly concave field, producing a subtle dish-like curvature visible at an angle. Die polishing was a routine procedure used to extend die life by smoothing away clash marks, but aggressive polishing could alter the die's geometry. As a sub-variety with the A suffix, VAM-14A represents a later die state of the same die pair cataloged as VAM-14, with the concave field developing after additional polishing during service. The 1882-S Morgan Dollar was struck at San Francisco in the standard 90% silver, 10% copper composition with a mintage of 9,250,000 pieces.

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