1884 Morgan Dollar - VAM-1
Error
Description
VAM-1 serves as the baseline die marriage for the 1884 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar — the standard against which all other 1884-P varieties are measured. Classified as III2 1 - C3a with normal dies on both obverse and reverse, this variety represents the most common die pairing for the date. The obverse is the standard III2 type 1, and the reverse is the normal C3 type. The 1884 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar was produced with a mintage exceeding 14 million, making it a common date in the series and widely available in uncirculated grades from original Treasury bags dispersed in the 1960s and 1970s. As the VAM-1 listing, this die marriage represents the starting point of the variety census — the first cataloged pairing from which subsequent VAMs are distinguished by their deviations. George T. Morgan's design, featuring Liberty adorned with wheat, cotton, and a Phrygian cap on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse, continued unchanged across all die pairings for this date.
External References
Community & Reference
Related Errors
More VAM Variety Errors
Collector Essentials
Tools for examining and preserving error coins and die varieties.
10x-20x Jeweler's Loupe
Essential for examining die varieties, doubled dies, and RPMs
Cherry Picker's Guide
The definitive reference for U.S. error coins and die varieties
2x2 Coin Flips & Holders
Protect and organize your finds with archival-quality holders
USB Digital Microscope
Capture detailed images for documentation and community submissions
As an Amazon Associate, NumisDex earns from qualifying purchases.