1883-P VAM-1C

Description

Cataloged as VAM-1C and discovered in February 2008 by the collector known as JV, this 1883-P Morgan Dollar carries the die classification III2 1·C3a under the descriptive title Scratched Eagle. The obverse III2 1 die shows the 3 slightly doubled at the lower inside of its bottom loop. The reverse C3a die is distinguished by three long, thin vertical die scratches in the eagle's right wing and two diagonal thin scratches in the lower tail feathers — a pattern that is unmistakable once identified and provides reliable field diagnostics. Philadelphia Mint production of Morgan Dollars in 1883 totaled approximately 27.9 million coins, one of the more plentiful dates in the series, yet die-specific varieties like VAM-1C remain collectible targets for Morgan specialists. The VAM classification system, developed by Van Allen and Mallis, has documented thousands of individual Morgan Dollar die pairings, making die variety collecting a richly organized sub-specialty. Die scratches of this clarity on a reverse eagle are particularly useful diagnostics for quick identification in dealer stock.

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