1879-P VAM-22

Description

Discovered by Martin Field in March 1979, the 1879-P VAM-22 is catalogued as a Doubled Date variety with designation 22 III2 22 C3a and ratings of I-2 R-3 (SSDC R8). The doubling is comprehensive: the 1 shows extra impressions at the top and left corner as two distinct steps; the left 8 is doubled at the lower left outside of its upper loop and bottom right outside of its lower loop; the 7 shows extra thickness at the top left and right; and the 9 is doubled at the left outside of both loops. The reverse is a standard C3a die with no significant abnormalities. A research note accompanies this variety: its characteristics are observed to be extremely close to the 1879-P VAM-92 and possibly the VAM-19, with an official ruling on their relationship pending. VAM collecting — named for the reference by Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis — focuses on die varieties of Morgan and Peace Dollars, with date doubling among the most avidly pursued classes. The 1879-P Morgan Dollar is a well-produced Philadelphia issue from the series' second year.

External References