1921-S VAM-1AU

Description

Classified as 1AU IV1 - D2a (Scribbling Die Scratches #4) with die pairing number 189, the 1921-S VAM-1AU Morgan Dollar documents the fourth instance of the scribbling die scratch reverse pattern within the 1921-S die population. The reverse (D2a) shows the characteristic fine die scratches running in various directions across over-polished tail feathers around the eagle's right leg and between the eagle's left wing and body — the same general polishing pattern documented across numerous 1921 Morgan Dollar die marriages. The distinguishing die marker is a diagonal die scratch below the top berry of the second left berry cluster on the reverse wreath — a small but precisely located feature that uniquely identifies this specific reverse die among the many scribbling die scratch varieties cataloged for the 1921-S date. The DPIS notation confirms that 1921 dates were part of the master die, eliminating date position as a diagnostic variable. The Morgan Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1921, the final year of Morgan Dollar production, in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. George T. Morgan's obverse Liberty and reverse heraldic eagle design concluded their original production run in 1921 before the Peace Dollar replaced the series. The diagonal die scratch below the specific berry cluster provides a reliable, pinpoint-locatable attribution marker — the wreath berries are small, well-defined design elements that create a consistent reference frame, and a diagonal scratch below a particular berry in a specific cluster can be confirmed or ruled out within seconds under 5x magnification, making field attribution practical even without extensive reference materials at hand.

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