1887-S VAM-18

Description

Attributed in 2010 by Rickey B., the 1887-S VAM-18 Morgan Dollar from San Francisco features a slightly doubled 1 visible below the upper crossbar and a date set further left than standard position. Cataloged as III2 12 C3a with die variety number 187, the near date placement provides an initial sorting criterion for attributors working through bags of 1887-S dollars. A short scratch in the denticles above the right upright of U in UNUM serves as a die marker — a secondary identifying feature that confirms the specific die pair independent of the primary variety characteristics. Die markers are incidental marks on the die surface, distinct from intentional design elements and variety-defining features like doubling or repunching, and they function as fingerprints for die identification. The 1887-S Morgan Dollar was produced during a period of heavy western silver coinage, and San Francisco's output contributed to the large stockpiles that would remain in Treasury vaults for decades. The combination of doubled date, near date position, and confirmatory die marker in the denticles gives attributors three independent diagnostics to verify this variety. ''Die marker'' - Short die scratch at denticles above right U in UNUM.

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