1887-S VAM-19

Description

Discovered in 2011 by Brent Fogelberg, the 1887-S VAM-19 Morgan Dollar carries the classification III2 13 - C3a (Doubled 188) with die pairing number 187. The obverse (III2 13) displays the digits 188 in the date slightly doubled at the bottom outside — a subtle positional doubling produced during the hubbing process when successive hub impressions were offset by a small amount, leaving ghost images along the exterior contours of these three digits. The right 8 additionally exhibits die chips at the top inside of the lower loop, and the documented die marker consists of die chips found in Liberty's nostril, a feature that allows quick field identification of this specific obverse die under moderate magnification. The reverse (C3a) is classified as a normal die with no significant anomalies. An important cataloging note records that VAMs 1887-S VAM-19 and 1887-S VAM-19A were both made with the exact same pair of dies, establishing them as different die states of a single die marriage rather than distinct die pairings — a relationship documented through the emission sequence linking the two designations. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1887, composed of 90% silver and 10% copper at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter and a reeded edge. The San Francisco Mint's 1887 production contributed to the massive silver dollar stockpiles mandated by the Bland-Allison Act. Collectors should examine the date area under 5x-7x magnification, focusing on the bottom outside edges of the 1, first 8, and second 8 for the characteristic doubled outlines, then confirm by checking Liberty's nostril area for the die chip markers.

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