1883-S VAM-1

Description

Cataloged as the baseline normal die variety for the 1883 San Francisco Mint Morgan Dollar, VAM-1 carries the classification III2 1 - C3a (Normal Die) with die pairing 187. The obverse is a normal Type III2 die, though some specimens exhibit a die chip between the loops of the second 8 on the right side — a die marker that helps identify coins struck from this specific die pair even in the absence of a more dramatic variety. The reverse features a normal Type C3 die with a medium size IV S mintmark that is centered and upright. While "normal die" might suggest this is an unremarkable variety, VAM-1 serves an essential function in the VAM cataloging system: it establishes the reference baseline against which all other varieties for the date are compared. The 1883-S Morgan Dollar had a relatively modest mintage of approximately 6.25 million coins, making it less common than its Philadelphia and New Orleans counterparts. The San Francisco Mint, established during the California Gold Rush in 1854, was a prolific producer of Morgan Dollars throughout the series' run from 1878 to 1921. Collectors who pursue complete VAM sets for a given date always begin with the VAM-1 normal die pairing, and the die chip between the 8s on some specimens adds an unexpected layer of interest to what is nominally the baseline entry.

External References