1888-S VAM-3B
Error
Description
Documented in 2012, the 1888-S VAM-3B Morgan Dollar is designated Doubled 8, Clashed Obverse n, and is classified under die marriage III22 with reverse die C3a. The defining characteristic of this variety is a second die clash episode in a slightly different position from the original clash, producing a new partial incuse lowercase n at Liberty's neck on the obverse. This second clash event occurred after the first, which had left remnants of clashed letters st at the lower right hair vee; those earlier clash marks were subsequently polished away during die maintenance. The VAM-3B represents a later die state than both VAM-3A1 and VAM-3A2, establishing a clear progression within the VAM-3 die family. San Francisco Morgan Dollars from 1888 are collected with enthusiasm by VAM specialists, and the evolving clash and polish sequence visible across the 3A1, 3A2, and 3B die states provides a compelling case study in how dies changed over their working lives through successive clash events and Mint shop repairs.
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