1898-P VAM-1

Description

This Philadelphia Mint Morgan Dollar is designated VAM-1 under Classification III2 1, C3a, documenting an Open 9 in the date. The obverse is a normal die of the III2 type featuring an open 9, and the reverse is a normal C3a die. Die pair number 189. As noted by CLM (C. Logan McKechnie), the open 9 can appear closed to the naked eye, requiring magnification for positive identification. This observation led BF (Bill Fivaz) to note that the open/closed 9 distinction is now considered obsolete criteria for VAM attribution purposes. VAM-1 shares the exact same die pair as VAM-1A, with the distinction being that one exhibits die cracks and the other does not, documenting progressive die deterioration. Struck in 90% silver (0.7734 oz ASW) at the Philadelphia Mint, the 1898 Morgan Dollar saw a mintage of approximately 5.9 million pieces. The VAM-1 designation typically represents the baseline die marriage for a given date, and the open/closed 9 debate illustrates how VAM classification standards have evolved over decades of scholarly examination as researchers refine the criteria for meaningful die variety distinctions.

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