1894 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-001

Description

Cataloged by the Wexler Team as 1894 $1 WDDR-001 and cross-referenced as VAM-3, this Morgan Dollar carries the remarkable distinction of being the only die pairing used to strike business-quality 1894 dollars — meaning every non-proof 1894 Morgan Dollar in existence exhibits this variety. A Class II spread toward the center appears on USA, IGWT (In God We Trust), and the left star, manifesting as split points on the three uppermost left leaves, while the lower N and D of UNITED are tripled, indicating at least three hub impressions contributed to the final die design. The convergent (center-directed) spread pushes the doubled images inward rather than outward, producing doubling on the interior edges of affected elements. Obverse die markers show none noted, while the reverse exhibits a curved die scratch on the leaf closest to the E of ONE, a straight die scratch just above the large leaf above the E of ONE, and a strong horizontal die scratch just above the eagle\'s left back talon. The 1894-P Morgan Dollar had one of the lowest business-strike mintages in the series at approximately 110,972 pieces, making it a key date that commands significant premiums in all grades. George T. Morgan\'s design was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The fact that all business strikes share this single die pairing means the variety adds no rarity premium beyond the coin\'s already-scarce base date — every collector who owns an 1894-P business strike already possesses this doubled die reverse, whether they recognize the attribution or not.

Attribution History

• Discovered by John Bordner Cross References: VAM 3 Comments: This was the only die pairing used to strike business quality 1894 dollars. All non-proof 1894 dollars will be this variety.
• VAM 3 Comments: This was the only die pairing used to strike business quality 1894 dollars. All non-proof 1894 dollars will be this variety.; Wexler Variety ID: 1894 $1 WDDR-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References