1886-P VAM-1.1

Description

First of several die pairs sharing the VAM-1 designation for the 1886 Philadelphia Mint Morgan Dollar, VAM-1.1 is classified as 1.1 III2 1 - C3a (Closed 6) at rarity 189. This 90% silver dollar features the "closed 6" date punch where the upper knob touches the lower loop, creating an enclosed numeral. Some specimens show a die chip between the loops of the first 8 on its left side, while others exhibit chips in the upper loop of the 6 — die state markers that help identify coins within the progression. The obverse is designated III2 1, a normal die of the III2 type, and the reverse C3a is a standard die of the C3 type. As die pair 1 of the VAM-1 group, this is the earliest-identified pairing among what researchers acknowledge are "several" die marriages consolidated under VAM-1. A comprehensive die study could eventually separate these into individually numbered VAMs. George T. Morgan's dollar entered its eighth year of Philadelphia production in 1886, with this die pair carrying the baseline closed-6 obverse characteristics.

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