1885-P VAM-7
Error
Description
Discovered by Leroy Van Allen in April 1973 and classified as 7 (revised) III2 7 - C3c (189), this 1885 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar combines a Low Dash Under 8 obverse with a Quadrupled Reverse Legend. The obverse die (III2 7) displays a dash well below the second 8 in the date, shifted left, with the entire date set further right than normal. The reverse die (C3c) carries dramatic quadrupled lettering: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LLAR, and the right star are tripled to quadrupled toward the rim, representing one of the stronger degrees of legend multiplication found on Morgan Dollar reverses. This variety comes both unclashed and clashed with no letter transfer. Finer specimens reveal polishing lines in the fields on the reverse, and higher-grade examples display swirled and vertical polishing lines on the face of Lady Liberty, evidence of die maintenance performed during the die's working life. Leroy Van Allen's discovery of this variety in 1973 came during the foundational era of Morgan Dollar die variety research that would eventually produce the comprehensive VAM reference system bearing his name alongside A. George Mallis.
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