1883-P VAM-1.5

Description

Designated using the decimal sub-variety notation within the Van Allen-Mallis system, the 1883-P VAM-1.5 represents a distinct die pair cataloged between VAM-1 and VAM-2 — specifically identified as "VAM 1 Weth Die 5 (VAM-1.5)" using the Weth die numbering system that supplements the standard VAM catalog for certain dates. The classification reads III2 1.5 ™ C3a (Normal) (180), indicating Obverse III2 1 as a normal die of the III2 type and Reverse C3a as a normal die of the C3 type. George T. Morgan's fifth year of silver dollar production at Philadelphia generated approximately 12.09 million dollars in 1883, a moderate mintage that falls between the higher early-series outputs and the reduced production of later dates. The III2 obverse type designation and C3a reverse designation reflect the systematic classification of die types that the VAM system applies to each date, with Roman numerals and letter-number combinations identifying the specific design characteristics — subtle differences in hair detail, feather configurations, wreath positions, and tail feather arrangements that distinguish one die type from another. The decimal notation VAM-1.5 was introduced as the catalog expanded to accommodate newly discovered die pairs that fit between previously established whole-number designations, avoiding the need to renumber the entire sequence. Philadelphia Morgan dollars from 1883 lack a mintmark on the reverse, distinguishing them from the O (New Orleans), CC (Carson City), and S (San Francisco) issues of the same date. The Weth die identification adds a parallel numbering system that some specialists prefer for tracking individual die pairs.

External References