1881-P VAM-23

Description

Discovered in 2011, VAM-23 documents a doubled date variety on the 1881 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar, classified under die pair III2 23 with a C3a reverse. The doubling is concentrated on the first two digits and the left numeral 1, designated "Doubled 18-1" in the VAM catalog notation. Examination reveals the left 1 doubled at the top right, the left 8 doubled at the left inside and right outside of the upper loop and slightly at the left inside of the lower loop, and the right 1 showing minor doubling at the top. This pattern indicates a hub-doubling event where the date area received a secondary impression offset from the primary, with displacement geometry producing the strongest visible spread on the 8 and the left 1 while barely affecting the right 1. The classification III2 23 within the C3a die marriage framework positions this variety among the numerous obverse die varieties documented for the 1881 Philadelphia issue. Date doubling on Morgan Dollars is prized by VAM collectors because the large, well-spaced numerals make doubled digits readily identifiable under moderate magnification, providing strong visual impact for both specialists and general collectors.

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