1891-S VAM-1H

Description

Discovered in 2013, this 1891-S Morgan Dollar variety is designated VAM-1H with obverse die III2 number 1 paired with reverse die C3a, appearing on plate number 190. The primary diagnostic is several horizontal die gouges in the lower part of the eagle's right wing on the reverse, where tool marks from die maintenance or handling left distinctive impressions that transferred to every coin struck from the die. Die gouges result from incidental contact between the die face and a hard instrument, and horizontal gouges suggest lateral tool movement across the wing area. VAM-1H is noted as a potential duplicate listing of 1891-S VAM-1D — a recognized issue in VAM catalogs as research evolves and varieties initially believed distinct are later determined to share the same die characteristics. This reassessment is inherent to die variety cataloging, where early attributions based on limited samples may be revised as more specimens are examined. The San Francisco Mint produced 1891-S Morgan Dollars in substantial quantities, and the 1H suffix indicates a sub-variety of the primary VAM-1 die pairing. Collectors should compare specimens against both VAM-1H and VAM-1D reference images.

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