1881-P VAM-1H

Description

Discovered in 2020 by Bill Wolverton, the 1881-P VAM-1H Morgan Dollar carries the classification III2 1 – C3a (Clashed Obverse G & T) with die pairing number 180. The obverse (III2 1) displays clash marks from the reverse die: a faint partial G from "God" on the reverse appears next to Liberty's neck, and a faint clashed partial t from the bottom of the right t in "Trust" is visible in the lower right hair vee of Liberty's lower hair edge. These transferred incuse impressions document a die clash event where the obverse and reverse dies struck each other without a planchet, imprinting mirror-image reverse lettering onto the obverse die face. The die marker — diagonal die polishing lines inside and outside of the ear — is specifically noted as being from a different die than the 1881-P VAM-1G, establishing die identity separation between the two similarly designated varieties. The reverse (C3a) is classified as a normal die. Bill Wolverton's 2020 discovery represents a relatively recent addition to the 1881-P die marriage catalog, demonstrating that even well-studied dates continue to yield new varieties as collectors examine coins with fresh eyes and modern magnification tools. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1881 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1881-P had a mintage of approximately 9.2 million pieces. Clash mark varieties require careful examination because the transferred design elements are incuse (sunken) on the coin rather than raised, appearing as faint impressions that can be confused with die scratches or surface marks by inexperienced examiners. The specific identification of the G and t clash elements provides a precise diagnostic roadmap for attribution.

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