1884-S VAM-22

Description

Ed Pope's April 2023 discovery, the 1884 San Francisco Mint Morgan Dollar VAM-22 is classified as 22 III2 2 C3l (Far Date, Engraved Leaves) with DPIS B34/C5. Struck in 90% silver, the obverse shows a far date position with a diagnostic dot in the center of Y in LIBERTY. The reverse features a filled S mint mark and re-engraved wreath leaves adjacent to the N of ONE and UNI of UNITED, where deliberate die modification altered the leaf contours. Additional die markers include lines in the wing-neck gap and wreath bow area. This is a later die stage of a die shared with VAM-4A, establishing a shared obverse relationship linking these varieties through common portrait dies at different production stages. The emission sequence for this obverse die is VAM-4A followed by VAM-22, documenting the chronological order of die marriages. The re-engraved leaves near ONE and UNITED represent intentional die recutting rather than hub doubling. The far date position and Y dot provide efficient obverse pickup points for this 2023 discovery in the 1884-S Morgan Dollar VAM census.

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