1921-P VAM-1AH

Description

Among the many scribbling die scratch varieties cataloged for the 1921 Philadelphia Mint Morgan Dollar, VAM-1AH is classified as IV1 - D1a and distinguished by its die marker: a vertical die scratch on the third feather from the bottom of the inner feathers on the eagle's left wing. The D1a reverse shows the characteristic pattern shared across this family — fine die scratches in various directions across over-polished tail feathers around the eagle's right leg and between the eagle's left wing and body. These scribbling scratches result from die polishing procedures where abrasive contact left directional marks in the die surface, transferred as raised lines on struck coins. The sheer number of scribbling VAMs for 1921 Morgans reflects the massive scale of production, when Philadelphia employed hundreds of die pairs to meet the Pittman Act's replacement mandate after 270 million silver dollars were melted. Each die pair carried a unique combination of polishing marks, and systematic cataloging of these differences has produced an extensive roster of VAM numbers. Struck in 90% silver.

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