1883-P VAM-11A

Description

Discovered by Jack Lee in November 2004, the 1883-P VAM-11A Morgan Dollar is classified as III2 11 - C3a (Dbld 18-3, Clashed Obverse n & st) with die pairing number 188, representing a later die state of the 1883-P VAM-11. The obverse (III2 11) displays a clashed die with two distinct transferred reverse elements: a faint incuse line of the lowercase n from the word "In" appearing next to Liberty's neck, and faint partial letters st from "Trust" visible in the right hair vee of the lower hair edge. These clash marks document a die clash event where the reverse motto "In God We Trust" was impressed onto the obverse die face, with different letters transferring to different locations depending on their geometric alignment during the clash impact. The doubled 18-3 component indicates doubling on the digits 1, 8, and 3 in the date, providing additional diagnostic features beyond the clash evidence. The reverse (C3a) is classified as a normal die. The "later die state of VAM-11" designation means this variety shares the same obverse die as VAM-11 but in a more worn condition where the clash marks have developed — VAM-11 represents the pre-clash state of the same die, and VAM-11A documents the post-clash state. George T. Morgan's design was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1883 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1883-P had a mintage of approximately 12.3 million pieces. The dual-element clash — both the n and st transferred from separate words of the reverse motto — demonstrates how a single clash event can leave multiple scattered impressions across the obverse die face, with each transferred element's location determined by the geometric relationship between the two dies at the moment of contact.

External References