1886-S VAM-4

Description

Discovered by C. Logan McKechnie in May 2002, the 1886-S VAM-4 Morgan Dollar is classified as III21 · C3c (S/S Sides) — a repunched mintmark variety where the San Francisco S was punched twice with the secondary impression displaced to the sides rather than in a simple directional shift. The reverse (C3c) shows a type IV S mintmark with partially filled loops and slight doubling on the right outside lower two-thirds of the top serif and on the left outside upper two-thirds of the bottom serif. This specific serif-level doubling pattern distinguishes VAM-4 from the stronger S/S doubling seen on VAM-2 of the same date, providing a comparative reference within the 1886-S die marriage catalog. A community observation notes that VAM-4 appears to be the same die as VAM-3 but in a slightly later die state, with the doubling on the date having deteriorated — a finding that, if confirmed, would suggest these two catalog entries represent sequential die states of the same working die rather than two separate dies. The Morgan Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1886 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. George T. Morgan's design features Liberty in a Phrygian cap on the obverse and a heraldic eagle within a wreath on the reverse. The San Francisco Mint's role in processing western silver was particularly important during the 1880s, and the hand-punching of S mintmarks into each working die generated the positioning variations documented across the 1886-S VAM catalog. McKechnie's attribution work on this variety contributed to the understanding of S mintmark repunching patterns at the San Francisco facility during this production period.

External References