1890-P VAM-16

Description

Discovered by Marc Serafine in January 2001 and classified as III216 C3a (189), this 1890 Philadelphia Mint Morgan Dollar features slight doubling on the left and right inside of Liberty's ear along with a date set further right than normal. The ear doubling is subtle, requiring careful examination under magnification to distinguish extra thickness from normal die contours. The rightward date position provides a quick preliminary identification before ear doubling is confirmed. An important cataloging note links VAM-16 to VAM-18, as both appear to share the same die pair — a situation arising when researchers independently document what later proves to be a single variety, or when different die states receive separate catalog numbers before the connection is recognized. The 1890-P was struck at Philadelphia in moderate quantity, occupying a middle position in both availability and collector demand. Marc Serafine's discovery added to the growing body of ear-related doubling varieties on Morgan Dollars, where the recessed ear cavity frequently captures evidence of hub shifts.

External References