1879-P VAM-15

Description

VAM-15 in the 1879-P Morgan Dollar series (III2 15 C3a: Doubled Date) presents doubling across all four date digits, each showing a distinct and individually described secondary impression. The 1 shows doubling on the lower surface of the upper crossbar. The 8 is doubled at the bottom right outside the lower loop. The 7 shows doubling on the right lower serif and strongly on the bottom right of the shaft. The 9 is doubled on the left outside of both loops, with an open-form 9. The reverse C3a is a normal die. Discovered by Maurice Dubreuil in February 1977, VAM-15 represents a full-date doubled die of the type most prized by Morgan Dollar variety collectors — where every digit in the date participates in the doubling event rather than only one or two. The 1879-P Morgan Dollar was struck in 90% silver at the Philadelphia Mint under George T. Morgan's design. Full four-digit date doubling of this character results from misalignment between hub and die during one of the hubbing impressions, with the misalignment consistent enough across the full date field that all digits record a displaced secondary impression.

External References