1885-P VAM-1C

Description

Designated a Hot 50 Morgan VAM and discovered by Jeff Oxman in October 1997, the 1885-P VAM-1C carries die classification III2 1 with attribution code C3a and die number 188, titled Pitted Reverse. The Hot 50 designation marks this among the most actively collected Morgan Dollar varieties, selected for visual impact and market recognition. The reverse die is slightly pitted on the upper leaves of the wreath to the left of the ribbon bow and in the field below the arrow fletching — texture from die rust or corrosion that developed on the steel surface before or during production. These raised rust-pit dots create a stippled appearance visible under moderate magnification that provides clear screening criteria for attribution. Some specimens of VAM-1C also exhibit die clash marks, adding a secondary feature to the pitted surface. The 1885 Morgan Dollar was struck at the Philadelphia Mint without a mintmark. Jeff Oxman's 1997 discovery contributed to the Hot 50 canon during a period of intense VAM research that elevated previously overlooked die characteristics into recognized collectible varieties.

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