1884-P VAM-11

Description

Discovered by Steve Sabella in April 1980 and revised in 2015 by Wayne Roberts, VAM-11 of the 1884 Morgan dollar is designated III2 11 C3a as Low Dash Under 8, Far Date, from die pair (181). The obverse type III2 11 displays a faint dash positioned well below the right 8 and centered beneath the digit, with the date set further right than normal. A diagnostic diagonal polishing line runs from the denticles below Liberty's neck point, serving as a reliable die marker for attribution. The reverse is a standard C3a type. The low dash beneath the 8 is the primary pickup point, as this subtle die anomaly distinguishes VAM-11 from other far-date varieties of the 1884 Philadelphia issue. The far-right date position provides a secondary visual clue that narrows the field of candidate VAMs before close inspection confirms the dash. The 1884 Philadelphia Morgan dollar was struck in large quantities, and VAM-11 represents one of the earlier discoveries in the series, originally identified over four decades ago and subsequently refined as attribution standards evolved under Wayne Roberts' revision work.

External References