1880-P VAM-15A

Description

Early die state of the same die pair that produced 1880-P VAM-15B, this variety documents the progressive deterioration of a Morgan Dollar die through two cataloged stages. VAM-15A, classified III2 15 with the C3a designation for doubled 880 and die break at the lower cap, exhibits one large break and one adjacent smaller die chip at the back of the Phrygian cap below the ribbon on the obverse. The doubled 880 in the date represents a hub-doubling event affecting the last three digits, visible as spread or secondary impressions on the 8-8-0. What distinguishes VAM-15A from VAM-15B is die state: both were struck from the identical obverse and reverse dies, but VAM-15A captures the die earlier in its working life, when the die break at the lower cap was less advanced. As the die continued in service, the break enlarged, and coins struck from the later state were assigned the separate VAM-15B designation. This relationship between the two listings illustrates how VAM cataloging tracks not only distinct die pairs but also significant stages within a single die's lifespan when the progression of damage creates diagnostically different coins. =1880-P VAM-15A Doubled 880, Die Break Lower Cap= Discovered by 15A III2 15 - C3a (Doubled 880, Die Break Lower Cap) (179) Obverse III2 15 - One large break and one adjacent smaller die chip at back of Phrygian cap below ribbon.

External References