1902-P VAM-7

Description

Discovered by Jim Baxter in February 1979, the 1902-P VAM-7 Morgan Dollar is classified as 7 III2 2 - C4/C3b, a Near Date with 2 Olive Reverse variety struck at the Philadelphia Mint. The 1902-P Morgan Dollar was produced in 90% silver at 26.73 grams and 38.1 mm diameter, with a mintage of 7,994,000 pieces — a relatively modest output for a Philadelphia issue that makes varieties from this date somewhat scarcer in the marketplace. The reverse die classification C4/C3b is particularly notable because it documents a shallow extra olive appearing to the right of the normal olive connected to the branch, an unusual doubled element on the eagle's wreath. Additionally, doubling appears at the base of the top and left olive leaf clusters, faintly on the second arrow feather from the branch, to the right of the eagle's nostril and eye, and at the back of the lower arrowhead. Die pair 189 is assigned to this marriage. The "Near Date" obverse designation (III2 2) indicates the date numerals are positioned closer to the rim than the standard placement, providing a quick visual reference for attributing this die. The combination of doubled reverse botanical elements and a near-positioned date makes this variety identifiable through two independent diagnostics, simplifying authentication for both raw and encapsulated specimens.

External References