1883-S VAM-17

Description

Ed Pope discovered the 1883-S VAM-17 Morgan dollar in September 2022, classifying it as III2 13 with a C3f reverse under the designation Doubled 18-3, Engraved Leaves. On the obverse, the 1 shows doubling below the upper crossbar and at the top right of the base, the left 8 is doubled at the left inside of both loops with additional lines at the top right inside of the upper loop, and the 3 displays doubling at the bottom inside. A small gouge joining the tops of the cotton bolls serves as a reliable obverse die marker. The C3f reverse features re-engraved leaves in the left wreath opposite ON, UN, and IT, with the S mintmark centered and upright. Reverse die markers include lines in the wreath bow and the wing-neck gap. The re-engraved leaves indicate Mint personnel strengthened design elements that had weakened through use, a practice that leaves distinctive traces under magnification. As a 2022 discovery, this variety remains relatively fresh in the attribution community, and population data is still being established among VAM collectors working the 1883-S date.

External References