1888-P VAM-7A1

Description

Revised in August 2023 by Jonnie Durham from the earlier VAM-7A designation, VAM-7A1 for the 1888 Philadelphia Mint Morgan Dollar is classified as 7A1 III2 5 - C3d with the descriptive title "Doubled Reverse, Die Chips, Gouge State 2" — a progressive die state variety documenting the second stage of die deterioration within the VAM-7 family. The reverse die C3d shows the primary diagnostic features: added gouges at the top edges of the middle and lower arrowheads, representing die surface damage that accumulated after the initial VAM-7 state and before the subsequent VAM-7A2 state. This three-stage progression — VAM-7 (initial state), VAM-7A1 (Gouge State 2), and VAM-7A2 (next stage) — creates a die state sequence that collectors can assemble to document the reverse die's deterioration over its working life. The obverse die III2 5 carries the doubled reverse attribution, meaning the doubling is inherent to the hub impression rather than a progressive feature, while the die chips and gouges represent die surface breakdown that occurred during use. George T. Morgan's reverse design on the 1888 dollar features a heraldic eagle gripping arrows in one talon and an olive branch in the other, and the arrowhead tips — where the newly added gouges appear — are areas of high relief that experience concentrated striking stress. The 1888-P was produced with a mintage of approximately 12.2 million, and the VAM-7 die family's multi-stage progression indicates this particular die pair saw extended service, passing through at least three documented stages of progressive deterioration. The August 2023 revision from VAM-7A to VAM-7A1 reflects the VAM system's practice of subdividing variety numbers when intermediate die states are identified between previously documented stages.

External References