1891-S VAM-4

Description

Attributed to Leonard Hinckley, who identified it in February 1974, the 1891-S VAM-4 "Near Date" documents a San Francisco Morgan Dollar obverse die where the date was punched further left than standard, placing the numerals noticeably closer to the rim. Under the Van Allen-Mallis classification, this variety is designated III2-3 with reverse die C3a. The Near Date characteristic arose from the hand-punching process used to apply date digits to working dies — each die received its date individually, and the engraver's lateral positioning varied from die to die. When the first digit was placed further left than intended, the entire date string shifted toward the rim, creating a narrower gap that distinguishes this variety. The 1891-S Morgan Dollar was struck at San Francisco, identified by the S mintmark on the reverse below the wreath. Morgan's design was in its fourteenth year, with Liberty wearing the cotton-and-wheat-wreathed Phrygian cap on the obverse and the heraldic eagle on the reverse. Struck in 90% silver at 38.1mm, the 1891-S is moderately available in the Morgan series. Compare the date-to-rim gap against normal specimens to confirm the leftward shift. =1891-S VAM-4 Near Date= Discovered by Leonard Hinckley, February 1974.

External References