1898-P VAM-2

Description

Discovered by Leonard Hinckley in February 1974, VAM-2 for the 1898-P Morgan Dollar is classified III2 2 with reverse C3a under the straightforward designation "Closed 9." The obverse displays the characteristic closed 9 in the date, where the loop of the numeral is fully enclosed rather than showing the slight opening found on normal dies — a feature attributed to die polishing or wear that filled the gap in the 9's bowl. An important note in the catalog: VAM-2 and VAM-2B were struck with the exact same pair of dies, representing different die states of a single marriage. However, VAM-2A, VAM-2C, VAM-2D, and VAM-2E were produced from different die pairs entirely, despite sharing the "2" root number. This branching structure illustrates how the VAM numbering system handles both die state progression (same dies, different wear) and die marriages (different die combinations) under a single parent designation. Philadelphia struck 5.88 million Morgan Dollars in 1898, and Hinckley's 1974 discovery represents one of the early systematic efforts to classify Philadelphia Morgan Dollar die varieties.

External References