1885-S VAM-11
Error
Description
Discovered by Roger Bradshaw in December 2022, the 1885-S VAM-11 carries die classification III2 2 with attribution code C3c under the title Doubled 5, Far Date, S Slightly High. The obverse shows a doubled 5, a far date positioning, and an S mint mark placed slightly higher than standard — three independent diagnostics distinguishing this from other 1885-S die marriages. Die markers include lines in the wing-neck gap on the reverse eagle and re-engraved leaves above the N in ONE. Die Pair Identification Sequence coding is B34/C5, providing precise obverse-reverse pairing coordinates. Notably, the obverse die also appears in the 1885-S VAM-2 pairing, establishing a shared-obverse relationship that lets collectors study the same die across two different reverse pairings and compare progressive wear. The 1885-S Morgan Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint. Roger Bradshaw's December 2022 discovery underscores the continuing vitality of Morgan Dollar die variety research, with new entries still emerging for dates struck nearly 140 years ago.
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