1884-P VAM-2

Description

Discovered by William Rawlings in July 1967, VAM-2 of the 1884 Morgan dollar is designated III2 2 - C3a as Far Date, Dash Under 8, from die pair (188). The obverse III2 2 features a dash-like die gouge under the second 8 in the date, with the date set further right than normal, qualifying it as a far date variety. The combination of the anomalous dash mark and the rightward date position provides two independent pickup points for attribution. The reverse is a standard C3a type. Specimens that show a partial E under the eagle's tail feathers are classified separately as 1884-P VAM-2A, representing a later die state where additional die deterioration revealed this transferred element. VAM-2 is thus the early die state of VAM-2A, and the presence or absence of the partial E beneath the tail feathers determines which attribution applies. Rawlings' 1967 discovery places this among the earliest documented varieties in the VAM catalog, predating the formal VAM numbering system that Van Allen and Mallis would later establish.

External References