1889-P VAM-5C

Description

Sub-variety C within the VAM-5 family for the 1889 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar, this variety was discovered in 2008 and carries the designation "Far Date, Die Gouges Below 9" — a combination of positional and surface-damage diagnostics. Classified as VAM-5C III2 5 C3a with emission sequence number 190, the "Far Date" indicates the date numerals are positioned further from the rim than the normal placement, a variation resulting from how deeply and at what angle the date logotype was punched into the working die. The primary attribution markers are two diagonal die gouges located in two denticle spaces and at the edge of the denticle to the right of the digit 9, with die scratches extending from the tips of these gouges. These gouges near the 9 provide reliable diagnostics under magnification, as their diagonal orientation and specific placement in the denticle area create a fingerprint unique to this die. The Philadelphia Mint struck over 21.7 million Morgan Dollars in 1889, and die gouges of this type typically result from accidental tool contact during die preparation, permanently marking the working die and every coin it subsequently produced.

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