1883-P VAM-1E

Description

Discovered in 2013 by Tom Wethern and revised in 2014, the 1883-P VAM-1E is designated "Hub Pitting Below 18" and carries catalog designation obverse III2-1 paired with reverse C3a. The variety's defining feature is raised dots visible in the denticle spaces and extending out into the field below the numerals 18 of the date — surface anomalies originating from a hub defect rather than individual die deterioration. This hub defect was used across multiple years from 1879 through 1883, meaning the same pitting pattern may appear on working dies produced from that hub during the entire five-year span, creating a hub-level diagnostic rather than a die-specific feature. Additionally, fully struck specimens show a tiny bit of doubling on the top of the Phrygian cap and the right side of the numeral 1 — secondary hub impressions visible only when the coin received a strong, complete strike that fully transferred all design detail including the subtle doubled contours. The reverse C3a is a normal die. The 1883-P Morgan Dollar was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams on 38.1mm planchets, with a mintage of 12,290,000 pieces. George T. Morgan's Liberty Head design was in its sixth year of production. Examine the denticle spaces below 18 under 7x to 10x magnification for the raised dots, and check the cap and numeral 1 for subtle doubled contours on well-struck specimens.

External References