1880-P VAM-11

Description

George Mallis — co-creator of the VAM attribution system alongside Leroy Van Allen — discovered this variety in June 1965, making it one of the earliest documented Morgan Dollar die varieties. Cataloged as 11 III2 10 - C3a (Doubled 880, 8/7) (179) for the 1880 Philadelphia Mint Morgan Dollar, VAM-11 is a Hot 50 Morgan VAM, placing it among the fifty most collectible varieties in the entire series. The obverse die exhibits doubling on 880 and, most significantly, an 8 over 7 overdate: remains of a 7 appear on the upper left surface of the second 8 as a check-mark-shaped remnant, indicating this die carried a 7 that was subsequently over-punched with an 8. Overdates rank among the most prized Morgan Dollar varieties because they provide direct evidence of die correction at the Philadelphia Mint. The reverse die is classified C3a, a normal die without significant anomalies. Collectors should examine the second 8 under magnification for the check-mark trace of the underlying 7, which serves as the primary diagnostic for this highly collectible variety. 1880-P VAM-11 Doubled 880, 8/7 Discovered by George Mallis, June 1965.

External References