1890-S VAM-10F

Description

VAM-10F was identified in 2016 as a distinct sub-variety within the 1890-S VAM-10 family, classified III2 3 · C3a — Far Date, Over Polished Eye and Ear. The defining diagnostic is a flat, polished field in front of Liberty's eye and inside the ear, caused by aggressive die over-polishing that removed detail and left a characteristically smooth metal surface in those anatomy zones. A prominent vertical die crack runs across Liberty's forehead — a dramatic die-state feature that appears on a family of 1890-S varieties including VAMs 1B, 1G, 10F, 20.1, 38, and 45, meaning the cracked forehead alone does not uniquely identify VAM-10F. VAM-10 and VAM-10F share the same obverse die but pair with different reverses, making reverse verification essential for correct sub-attribution within the VAM-10 family. The "Far Date" designation reflects a date position set further right than normal. The 1890-S Morgan Dollar is a 90% silver San Francisco Mint issue. The over-polished eye and ear zones are the most diagnostic features unique to VAM-10F and should be confirmed before any reliance is placed on the shared forehead crack.

External References