1888-P VAM-7A2

Description

Revised in August 2023 from the former VAM-7A designation by Jonnie Durham, the 1888-P VAM-7A2 carries die classification III2 5 with attribution code C3d under the title Doubled Reverse, Die Chips, Gouge State 3. This variety represents the third documented gouge state in the VAM-7 die family, exhibiting a progressive accumulation of die damage features. The reverse shows doubling along with several gouges that developed as the die advanced through production: gouges appear where the eagle's left wing meets the body, in the wing-neck gap, at the bottom of the second T in TRUST, and at the bottom of the eagle's right wing. Each gouge location represents a progressive die deterioration point, and the Gouge State 3 designation indicates that multiple earlier states — including the previous stage VAM-7A1 — document fewer gouges on the same reverse die. The next documented progression is VAM-7B1, where additional die changes warranted a new letter suffix. This die state sequencing across 7A1, 7A2, and 7B1 provides researchers with a detailed timeline of die deterioration for this specific reverse. The 1888 Morgan Dollar was struck at the Philadelphia Mint without a mintmark.

External References