1883-P VAM-18

Description

Discovered by Brian Raines in May 2004, the 1883-P VAM-18 was originally cataloged as Quadrupled Right Stars — showing very slight tripling to quadrupling of the right-side stars toward the rim on the obverse. The stars displayed faint secondary impressions suggesting the obverse hub contacted the die multiple times with slight displacement, producing the multi-image effect that earned the quadrupled designation. However, the variety was eliminated in 2018 and reclassified as VAM-7, consolidating what had been treated as a distinct die under the earlier number. Eliminations occur in the VAM system when improved imaging, additional specimens, or more rigorous comparison reveals that a separately numbered variety is actually a duplicate of a previously cataloged die. Raines' discovery contributed to understanding of the 1883 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar's die variety landscape even though the designation was ultimately consolidated. The 1883 Morgan Dollar was struck at Philadelphia in the standard 90% silver, 10% copper composition during production mandated by the Bland-Allison Act. The reclassification history of VAM-18 into VAM-7 is itself part of the numismatic record.

External References