1885-S VAM-7A

Description

Discovered by George Powell in December 2004, this 1885 San Francisco Mint Morgan Dollar VAM-7A is cataloged as III2-6, C3a (Doubled Date, Die Flake Left Wreath), die pair 187. The doubled date represents the primary diagnostic, showing hub doubling on the 1885 date numerals, while a die flake on the left wreath opposite NI of UNITED provides a secondary attribution feature. Die flakes occur when small fragments of the die surface detach, leaving voids that produce raised irregularities on struck coins. The reverse is classified as C3a. George T. Morgan's 90% silver dollar was produced at the San Francisco Mint across most years of the series (1878-1921), and S-mint Morgans are broadly collected for their generally superior strike quality compared to some other branch mint issues. VAM-7A documents both a hubbing error (the doubled date) and a die deterioration feature (the flake) on a single die pair, combining two distinct categories of die variety on one coin. Collectors pursuing 1885-S Morgan varieties will find this doubled date entry among the more attributable examples in the VAM catalog for this date.

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