1885-P VAM-14A

Description

Discovered in May 2009, the 1885-P VAM-14A Morgan Dollar carries the classification III2 14 · C3a (Doubled 5 Top Line, Thread Impression, Clashed Obverse n) with die pairing number 188. Known colloquially as the "Wild Hair," this variety represents a clashed late die state of the parent 1885-P VAM-14, where progressive die deterioration and clash events combined to create a visually distinctive specimen. The obverse (III2 14) displays a clashed die with a faint tick of the partial incuse n from "In" on the reverse showing next to Liberty's neck — a transferred reverse design element documenting a die clash event. The doubled 5 top line and thread impression components of the variety's full designation add additional diagnostics beyond the clash marks. Community commentary notes a relatively low date at normal position, providing a supplementary screening criterion. The "Wild Hair" nickname suggests the clash marks and die deterioration create an appearance of unruly or extra hair detail on Liberty's portrait, a visual effect that has earned this variety special recognition within the collector community. The reverse (C3a) is classified as a normal die. George T. Morgan designed the coin, struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1885 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1885-P had a mintage of approximately 17.8 million pieces. The "A" suffix in VAM-14A identifies this as a die state subdivision of the parent VAM-14, with the clashed obverse n and associated die deterioration developing after the characteristics documented in the base VAM-14 variety, establishing a clear chronological relationship within this die marriage's production history.

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