1885-P VAM-1Q

Description

Discovered in 2017 by Chris Simpson (known in the VAM community as Cascade Chris), the 1885-P VAM-1Q Morgan Dollar documents a die beak formation at AME on the reverse paired with distinctive obverse die lines. The VAM classification III2 1 - C3a places this within the standard obverse-reverse die pair matrix used by the Van Allen-Mallis cataloging system, which has systematically documented Morgan Dollar die marriages since the 1970s. The obverse (designated III2 1) shows several vertical lines below Liberty's eye — likely stress-related die lines that developed during the die's working life. The reverse (C3a) exhibits a die break at the top of AMER with a slight displaced field break at AME, creating the characteristic "die beak" appearance where metal flows into the die crack and produces a protruding tag of raised metal on struck coins. The 1885 Philadelphia Mint struck 17,787,767 Morgan Dollars, a substantial mintage that generated numerous die pairs and corresponding VAM varieties. The "(190)" notation in the VAM listing refers to the die pair's identification number within the master VAM reference. Morgan Dollar VAM collecting represents one of the most detailed die variety specialties in American numismatics, with thousands of documented die marriages across the series' 1878-1921 production span. The die beak at AME places this variety among the more visually dramatic reverse die deterioration features sought by VAM specialists.

External References