1880-P VAM-16A

Description

Felix Gonzales, known in the VAM community as Tekkie1, discovered this Philadelphia Morgan dollar in 2011. It holds Hot 50 Morgan VAM status. Classified 16A III2 16 with a C3a reverse, the designation is Checkmark, Doubled 80, 8/7, Die Break E-P Dot. The obverse III2 16 die features a radial die crack running from the denticles down to a dot between E and P with slightly displaced field, indicating the beginning of a die break. A gouge on the jaw line extending onto the neck appears on prooflike examples through the radial crack stage. Research notes suggest the die clashing may have initiated the radial crack on VAM-16A. The 1880-P Morgan dollar is one of the most studied dates for variety collectors, with the 8/7 overdate and checkmark features generating extensive research. The Hot 50 designation reflects high collector demand, and the radial crack with displaced field at the E-P position provides a dramatic visual diagnostic that distinguishes VAM-16A from the parent VAM-16 variety. The combination of an overdate, doubled date, and progressive die failure makes this a multi-layered variety.

External References