1883-P VAM-12A

Description

Discovered by Mark Kimpton in May 2003, the 1883-P VAM-12A Morgan Dollar carries the classification III2 12 · C3a (Doubled 18, Clashed Obverse n & st) with die pairing number 188. The obverse (III2 12) is strongly clashed, displaying two distinct transferred reverse elements: a faint partial incuse lowercase n from the word "In" visible next to Liberty's head neck, and a faint partial "st" from the word "Trust" showing in the right hair vee of the lower hair edge. The dual clash transfer — capturing characters from two different reverse inscriptions in separate locations on the obverse — confirms a forceful die-to-die contact event that impressed multiple reverse design elements simultaneously onto the obverse die face. The reverse (C3a) is classified as a normal die. Cataloging notes identify this as a later die state of the 1883-P VAM-12, establishing the chronological relationship where the original VAM-12 die marriage was produced in an unclashed state before the clash event occurred, after which subsequent strikes from the same dies carry the transferred n and st impressions that define the VAM-12A designation. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and 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 "Doubled 18" component of the designation indicates doubling on the digits 1 and 8 in the date, adding a hub-to-die manufacturing variety to the clash-related features that dominate this die state's visual presentation. Mark Kimpton's 2003 discovery added this clashed die state to the growing catalog of 1883-P die marriages.

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