1884-S VAM-7

Description

Discovered by Leroy Van Allen in May 1984, the 1884-S VAM-7 Morgan Dollar is classified as III2 3 - C3e (S/S High, Very Far Date) with die pairing number 187. The obverse (III2 3) features a date set much further to the right than normal — the "Very Far Date" designation indicating an extreme rightward displacement that exceeds typical positioning variation. The reverse (C3e) displays a doubled S mintmark (S/S) with a type IV San Francisco mintmark showing a diagonal line in the upper loop and a curved line in the lower loop — remnants of the first S mintmark punch impression visible within the loops of the final, correctly positioned S. This over-mintmark pattern was created when the San Francisco mintmark punch was applied twice to the die, with the first impression sitting higher than desired (the "High" component) and the correction leaving traces of the initial placement. VAMWorld commentary notes that there may be multiple obverses paired with this reverse, suggesting the distinctive S/S reverse die was used across more than one die marriage, and that the photograph shown in the reference is of a far date rather than a very far date — a cautionary note about the distinction between these positioning categories. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1884 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1884-S had a mintage of approximately 3.2 million pieces, one of the lower San Francisco mintages. Van Allen's personal discovery of this variety during the formative years of Morgan Dollar variety research, using the systematic examination methodology he pioneered with A. George Mallis, reflects the foundational work that established the VAM classification system used by Morgan Dollar collectors worldwide.

External References