1887-S VAM-21

Description

Discovered by Jody Faust in 2017, the 1887-S VAM-21 is classified as III2 1 - C3h and carries the title "S Set Right" — describing a mintmark positioned slightly to the right of the normal placement. The obverse (III2 1) shows the date set at the left edge of the normal lateral position. The reverse (C3h) features a Type IV S mint mark set slightly right with normal height and tilt, with some specimens showing a faint diagonal polishing line in the fields and slight doubling of the arrowheads and shafts at the bottom of the reverse design. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and struck at the San Francisco Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams and 38.1 mm diameter. The 1887-S is a relatively common date in the Morgan Dollar series but carries particular interest among VAM collectors due to the numerous die varieties documented for this date-mint combination. San Francisco mintmark positioning varieties are diagnostically important in the VAM system because the mint mark was hand-punched into each working die individually, creating natural variation in placement, tilt, and depth that helps distinguish different reverse dies. The slight rightward shift of the S, combined with the left-set date on the obverse, creates a die pair with two independent positional diagnostics that aid attribution. The faint diagonal polishing line present on some specimens indicates the die underwent maintenance polishing during its production run, a common practice that can alter surface characteristics between die states. The slight doubling on arrowheads and shafts provides an additional diagnostic for collectors seeking to confirm the attribution.

External References