1888-P VAM-14

Description

Attributed by Herb Zepke in June 1981, VAM-14 is an early-documented 1888-P Morgan Dollar variety carrying the revised classification III2 11 C3h and named for two distinct sets of features: Doubled Stars and Near Date, Doubled Lower Reverse. The obverse is notable for slight doubling affecting all left and right stars toward the rim — a broad hub characteristic that creates a subtle but confirmable thickening at the outer edges of each star point. The date is set closer to the rim than normal (Near Date), a positioning deviation identifiable with a reference guide or careful comparison against a standard-position example. On the reverse, the lower design elements carry companion hub doubling. Philadelphia Morgan Dollars of 1888 were struck in 90% silver without a mintmark; the 1888-P had a generous production run, making the base coin readily available. VAM-14's interest lies in the combination of obverse star doubling — which demands careful examination of all twelve stars rather than a single pickup point — and the near date placement that can be screened quickly as a preliminary step before committing to loupe work on the stars and lower reverse. =1888-P VAM-14 Doubled Stars, Near Date, Doubled Lower Reverse= Discovered by Herb Zepke, June 81.

External References