1883 Morgan Dollar - VAM-26

Description

Tom Wethern identified this 1883 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar variety in 2013, classified as 26 III2 26 - C3a with the label "Dash Under 8, Doubled 8-3" and a rarity rating of 193. The obverse shows the left 8 slightly doubled at the top inside of the lower loop and the 3 doubled at the bottom inside of its lower loop, while a short faint dash sits well below the right 8. Several polishing lines at the left end of the Phrygian cap ribbon serve as the primary obverse die marker. The Reverse C3a is a normal die without distinctive features. The doubled 8-3 combination places this variety in the same date-doubling family as several other 1883-P VAMs, but the specific loops affected and the presence of the sub-8 dash help distinguish VAM-26 from its close relatives. The Phrygian cap ribbon extends from the back of Liberty's head on the Morgan Dollar obverse, and polishing lines in this area are a common byproduct of die finishing, where Mint workers smoothed die surfaces before placing them into service.

External References