1897-S VAM-1A

Description

Discovered in 2009 and subsequently eliminated in June 2014 when it was reclassified as 1897-S VAM-3A, this Morgan dollar variety was originally struck at the San Francisco Mint. Classified as 1A III2 1 - C3a, the variety's primary diagnostic is a small vertical die break at the second berry cluster from the top of the left wreath on the reverse. The Morgan dollar, designed by George T. Morgan and struck from 1878 through 1921, was composed of 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter and a reeded edge. San Francisco produced 5,825,000 Morgan dollars in 1897, a moderate production figure that places the 1897-S solidly in the mid-range of San Francisco Morgan dollar mintages. Die breaks on Morgan dollars occur when stress fractures develop in the steel die from repeated striking impacts, and the break at this particular berry cluster position created a raised, featureless area on struck coins where metal flowed into the void left by the missing die fragment. A diagnostic crack running through the N and I of UNITED on the reverse serves as a confirmation marker that can help verify attribution even when the primary die break may be less distinct on individual specimens. The reclassification from VAM-1A to VAM-3A reflects the ongoing refinement of the VAM cataloging system, where newly discovered varieties are sometimes later determined to be die states or sub-varieties of previously cataloged entries. This process of continuous re-evaluation is central to the VAM collecting community and demonstrates the scholarly rigor applied to Morgan dollar die variety research. Collectors who own specimens originally attributed as VAM-1A should update their records to reflect the current VAM-3A designation.

External References