1887-P VAM-1H

Description

Discovered by Brent Fogelberg, this 1887 Philadelphia Mint Morgan Dollar is classified as VAM-1H with the designation III2 1 - C3a, describing a die break at the wing top. The reverse die, classified C3a, exhibits a die crack running from the top of OF over through the wing tip to the middle of the A and up to the top of the M in AMERICA. Die chip breaks appear at the wing tip, between the wing and the A, and at the top middle of the M, documenting progressive die deterioration that moved well beyond a simple crack into actual metal displacement. The H suffix on VAM-1 indicates this is one of multiple die states documented for the VAM-1 obverse die, with each letter suffix tracking a different stage or reverse pairing. This variety has been found in a clashed state on both obverse and reverse, though without letter transfer — meaning the clash marks do not show the transferred design elements sometimes visible on more dramatic clash examples. The 1887-P Morgan Dollar is one of the higher-mintage Philadelphia dates, and the progression of die breaks through the eagle's wing documents the mechanical stresses sustained during extended production runs.

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