1882-S VAM-42

Description

A relatively recent addition to the VAM catalog, VAM-42 was discovered by Bill Wolverton in November 2022 and documents a late die state marriage of previously known obverse and reverse dies for the 1882-S Morgan dollar. Classified as III2 8 with reverse pairing C3g and production code (186), this variety features a doubled date on the obverse along with a distinctive mintmark position — the S set low and to the right, tilted to the left. The obverse die, designated type III2 8, shows significant wear: the bases of the date digits are worn, and a chip appears in the lower opening of the numeral 2, characteristics that match the later stages of the obverse die used for VAM-9. The reverse die (C3g) similarly connects to existing catalog entries, being identified as the same reverse die employed for VAM-30. This cross-referencing — LDS VAM-9 obverse married to VAM-30 reverse — exemplifies how new VAM numbers often emerge not from entirely fresh die discoveries but from documenting previously unrecorded pairings of known dies at different stages of their service lives. The 1882-S Morgan dollar boasts a mintage of 9,250,000 and is one of the most commonly available dates in the series, particularly from Treasury releases and the GSA hoard disbursements. However, the specific die marriage documented as VAM-42, with its distinctive die deterioration features and tilted mintmark, represents a targeted find within that broad population.

External References