1879-P VAM-6

Description

Discovered by George Mallis in July 1964, this Philadelphia Mint Morgan Dollar carries the Doubled 79 designation. The doubling manifests on the 7 as two points at the lower left crossbar with a doubled stem, while the 9 shows doubling on the outside and inside at the 10 o'clock position. The open 9 style further characterizes the date punch used for this die. On some specimens, a die chip appears between the loops of the 8, providing an additional attribution marker that varies with die state. The reverse is classified as normal. Mallis's 1964 discovery places VAM-6 among the earliest documented Morgan Dollar varieties, predating the formal VAM cataloging system that Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis would later publish. Struck in 90% silver (0.7734 oz ASW), the 1879-P had a mintage of approximately 14.8 million pieces. The doubled 79 with its distinctive crossbar points and stem duplication on the 7 represents a clear hub doubling event affecting the date area, while the open 9 punch style helps narrow the die identification among the numerous 1879-P die marriages documented in the comprehensive catalog.

External References