1886 Morgan Dollar - VAM-13

Description

Discovered by Joe Slechta in January 1976, VAM-13 on the 1886-P Morgan Dollar carries the formal designation III2 13 paired with reverse die C3a and the descriptive title "Near Date," with catalogue identification number 189. The obverse die III2 13 is distinguished by a date set further left than normal, positioning the four digits 1886 closer to the bust truncation than the standard date placement seen on most Philadelphia Mint dies of this year — a die preparation variation that arose from the manual process of punching the date logotype into each individual working die, where slight differences in the punch operator's aim created measurable positional variations between dies. Additionally, the 6 in the date is closed — meaning the loop of the digit is fully enclosed rather than displaying the open gap sometimes seen on other obverse dies — providing a secondary obverse diagnostic that can be checked without magnification. Die state progression notes indicate that earlier impressions from this die may show a tiny horizontal die chip in the upper loop of the second 8, while later die states may develop a small die chip in the bottom left of Liberty's ear — sequential deterioration markers that allow collectors to place individual specimens along the die's working timeline. Reverse die C3a is cataloged as a normal reverse configuration, placing the attribution burden primarily on the obverse diagnostics. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver and 10% copper at 26.73 grams, the 1886-P Morgan Dollar had a mintage of approximately 19.96 million pieces. The near date positioning creates a subtle but measurable difference from standard die setups that trained VAM collectors can identify by comparison against reference photographs of normal date placements for the 1886-P issue.

External References