1884-P VAM-8D2

Description

Discovered in 2010, the 1884-P VAM-8D2 Morgan Dollar is classified as 8D2 III2 8 - C3a, a Far Date variety with Clashed Obverse n & st, struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The 1884 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar had a mintage of 14,070,875 pieces in the standard 90% silver composition (26.73 grams, 38.1 mm), designed by George T. Morgan for the U.S. Mint. The primary diagnostic on the obverse die (III2 8) is the presence of clashed reverse lettering transferred to the obverse during an unprotected die clash event. A faint incuse letter n from "In" on the reverse appears next to Liberty's neck, while a partial incuse "st" from "Trust" is visible in the right hair vee of Liberty's lower hair edge. An additional feature — a horizontal curvy hair-like impression at the back of Liberty's jaw — likely represents another transferred reverse element. The "Far Date" designation indicates that the date numerals sit farther from the lower rim than the standard position for this die marriage. The reverse die (C3a) carries die pair number 188. The clash evidence on this variety is particularly interesting because the transferred letters remain identifiable despite the Mint's standard practice of attempting to polish away such marks. Collectors authenticating this variety should focus on the incuse n beside the neck and the st in the hair vee, using oblique lighting to enhance the faint transferred features.

External References