1882-S VAM-1B

Description

Discovered in 2011, the 1882-S VAM-1B Morgan Dollar is classified III2.1 - C3c for Concaved Obverse, with rarity ratings of I-2 R-6 indicating an estimated 50 to 100 surviving specimens. This unusual variety is defined by an obverse die that was so extensively over-polished that the die surface became concave at the periphery, producing shallow letters and stars around the rim and giving the struck coin a dish-like appearance. Fine raised die rust pits on Liberty's head serve as additional die markers, suggesting the die was stored in humid conditions or sat idle long enough for surface oxidation to develop before (or after) the aggressive polishing event. The notation that this coin "will look like a dish" once seen provides a practical visual diagnostic — the concavity is reportedly detectable from several feet away on an actual specimen, making VAM-1B one of the more visually dramatic Morgan Dollar varieties. The over-polishing that created the concavity removed enough die steel from the periphery to measurably alter the die geometry, producing coins with higher central relief relative to the rim than normal strikes. The 1882-S Morgan Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint from a substantial mintage of 9,250,000 coins in 90% silver (10% copper) at 26.73 grams, 38.1 mm diameter with a reeded edge. Concave die varieties are uncommon across all U.S. coin series and represent an extreme endpoint of die maintenance gone beyond its intended scope.

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