1887-P VAM-1M

Description

With only two confirmed specimens as of its documentation, VAM-1M of the 1887-P Morgan Dollar ranks among the rarest Philadelphia Mint varieties in the entire Morgan series. Discovered by Juan Arrioja in February 2013 and cataloged as 1M III2 1 · C3a, this die marriage is defined by a curved threadlike die impression on the third outer feather from the bottom of the eagle's right wing on the reverse. The discovery piece was graded PCGS 65PL with toning, while the second known specimen received a PCGS 63PL designation. On that second coin, the threadlike impression appears very faint, suggesting that the anomaly may have diminished through die wear or that detection requires ideal lighting conditions. The obverse carries a normal date placement with unique polishing lines visible inside the Liberty portrait. The reverse displays its own set of unique polishing lines in the wing-neck gap, providing die-specific confirmation beyond the threadlike impression. Given the prooflike surface quality of both known specimens, VAM-1M is most likely to be found among PL and DMPL examples from the 1887 Philadelphia production.

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