1885-S VAM-10

Description

Discovered by George Powell in December 2004, this San Francisco Morgan dollar is cataloged as VAM-10 under classification III28 with a C3a reverse, titled Doubled 885 Top, carrying a rarity rating of 187. The obverse shows very slight doubling along the top outside of the 885 numerals, produced from a different die than the similar VAM-7. Polishing lines around the wheat kernels and three horizontal lines at the top left of the top left cotton leaf serve as obverse die markers that help distinguish this from other 1885-S varieties with subtle date doubling. The reverse carries a type IV S mintmark set slightly high and slightly filled. This reverse die is shared with the 1885-S VAM-5, establishing a known die link between the two pairings. Notably, the date doubling on VAM-10 can be imperceptible even on Mint State examples examined at 45x magnification, making it one of the more challenging attributions in the 1885-S series. Collectors pursuing this variety should rely heavily on the obverse die markers, particularly the cotton leaf lines and wheat kernel polishing, as confirmation when the primary doubling proves elusive.

External References