1898-S VAM-8A

Description

Discovered by Steve Sabella in November 1980, the 1898-S VAM-8A Morgan Dollar carries the classification III2 5 · C3d (Near Date, S Tilted Right) with die pairing number 187. The obverse (III2 5) displays the date set further left than the normal position — the "Near Date" placement that brings the date closer to the rim and Liberty's neck than the standard positioning, a variation resulting from the date punch's manual placement during die preparation. The reverse (C3d) features an S mintmark tilted slightly to the right, accompanied by two thick die gouges through the wreath bow loop — substantial markers that serve as prominent diagnostic features easily located under moderate magnification. Community observations contribute two additional notes: the 1898-S VAM-8A preceded the 1898-S VAM-8 in production order despite its "8A" suffix designation, demonstrating that VAM numbering reflects discovery sequence rather than chronological die usage; and this variety also carries an undocumented repunched second 8 — a feature noted by collectors but not yet formally incorporated into the VAM catalog description, representing an area of potential future catalog revision. George T. Morgan designed this silver dollar with the Liberty head obverse and heraldic eagle reverse. Struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1898 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter and a reeded edge. The 1898-S had a mintage of approximately 4.1 million pieces, one of the lower San Francisco Morgan mintages of the late 1890s. The combination of near date positioning, tilted mintmark, wreath bow die gouges, and undocumented repunched 8 creates a multi-feature variety with several independent attribution checkpoints.

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