1894-S VAM-9

Description

John Baumgart discovered the 1894-S VAM-9 Morgan dollar in December 2014, classifying it as III2 5 with a C3a reverse under the designation Low Date. The obverse positions the date low and slightly to the right, within the normal later date position range. Polishing lines appear to the right of the designer's initial M and in the lower hair, serving as obverse die markers. The C3a reverse carries polishing lines in the wing-neck gap as its diagnostic marker. Cataloging commentary notes this variety is far more interesting than its listing would indicate: the obverse is similar to 1894-S VAM-1A, known as the Wormeye, displaying lines or thread-like impressions at multiple locations on Liberty's portrait. These anomalous surface features suggest manufacturing conditions that left unusual textures in the die, whether from polishing debris, abrasive particles, or other workshop contaminants. The 1894-S Morgan dollar is a scarcer San Francisco date with lower mintage than most in the series. The low date position provides the primary screening diagnostic, but the portrait surface anomalies shared with the Wormeye variety add genuine research interest beyond the standard attribution.

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