1883-P VAM-19

Description

Discovered by Richard Verdi in September 2005, the 1883-P VAM-19 Morgan Dollar is identified by a subtle doubling along the top of the Phrygian cap on Liberty's head. Under the Van Allen-Mallis classification system, this die marriage is cataloged as III2 19 paired with reverse C3a, with a Rarity Scale designation of 188. The obverse die designated III2 19 shows the top edge of the Phrygian cap slightly doubled, with the back edge of the lower cap below the ribbon also exhibiting displacement — a feature best observed under 10x or greater magnification with side lighting to reveal the secondary profile. The reverse die C3a is a normal die with no notable characteristics. The 1883 Philadelphia Mint Morgan Dollar was produced in substantial quantities — over 12.09 million pieces — during the height of the Bland-Allison Act's mandated silver purchases, which required the U.S. Treasury to buy between two and four million dollars' worth of silver bullion monthly for conversion into dollar coins. Many 1883-P Morgans survived in mint-state condition from Treasury vault hoards, making this date relatively accessible for VAM collectors. The Phrygian cap doubling on VAM-19 is a Class III die variety, where the hub shifted slightly between impressions during die manufacture, and provides a collecting target for specialists who appreciate the diagnostic challenge of identifying subtle obverse die differences within this prolific Philadelphia date.

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