1890-S VAM-1M

Description

Discovered by John Higginbotham in 2016 and classified as 1M III2 1 C3a, this 1890-S Morgan Dollar variety is identified by die breaks on the right wreath. The reverse exhibits a die crack running from the second leaf cluster from the bottom up to the top leaf cluster, with small die breaks on the top three leaf clusters. Die markers include a tiny die chip between the fourth and fifth tail feather ends, visible on some specimens, and a single short polishing line on the right side of the upper tail feather. The VAM-1M designation as a sub-variety of the base VAM-1 indicates that the obverse die shows normal characteristics — the distinguishing features are entirely on the reverse, where the progressive die crack through the wreath documents the mechanical stress that accumulated during production. The crack pattern ascending through the leaf clusters suggests a fracture that propagated vertically through the die surface. Struck at the San Francisco Mint in 90% silver, the 1890-S is a moderately scarce date in the Morgan Dollar series and die break varieties add another dimension to its collectibility.

External References