1886-S VAM-1B

Description

Discovered in 2011 by Brent Fogelberg, the 1886-S VAM-1B Morgan Dollar is classified III2 1 - C3a for Die Chip in O, a straightforward variety defined by a die chip at the bottom inside of the O in OF on the reverse. While die chips are among the simpler die anomalies, this variety's research notes reveal interesting die-state progression: it appears to share the same die pair as the 1886-S VAM-1A, and the lines in the digit 6 of the date that define VAM-1A disappear on later die state coins while being strong on some specimens where the chip is present — establishing a chronological relationship between the two varieties. The notation that VAM-1B appears far more common than VAM-1A suggests the die chip developed during the production run, meaning most coins from this die pair were struck after the chip formed. The 1886-S Morgan Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 90% silver (10% copper) at 26.73 grams, 38.1 mm diameter with a reeded edge. The San Francisco Mint, established during the California Gold Rush, was one of three facilities producing Morgan Dollars. The 1886-S mintage of 750,000 is a key date with one of the lowest San Francisco totals in the Morgan series, making any documented die variety on this date particularly notable. Die chips on Morgan Dollars are progressive — they begin as microscopic stress fractures and grow with continued die use, eventually becoming large enough to produce visible raised areas on struck coins.

External References