1887-S VAM-10

Description

Bill Van Note discovered this die pair in November 1999, and it is cataloged as the 1887-S VAM-10 Morgan Dollar with die marriage III2 1 and reverse C3d. The defining characteristic is comprehensive doubling of the reverse peripheral lettering toward the rim. All peripheral lettering is doubled in that direction, with the tops of IN GOD WE TRUST also showing doubling. Additionally, the lower outside leaves of the right wreath, upper outside leaves of the left wreath, lower right wreath ribbon, and the right star are doubled towards the rim, producing a widespread spread that affects much of the reverse design. This type of hub doubling on Morgan Dollar reverses occurs when the hub and die are slightly misaligned during one of the multiple impressions required to fully sink the design into the working die. The 1887-S represents a transitional period for San Francisco Morgan Dollar production, falling between the enormous mintages of the mid-1880s and the reduced output of the early 1890s. Doubled reverse lettering varieties are particularly appealing to collectors because the spread is often visible with a standard loupe, making in-hand attribution straightforward. =1887-S VAM-10 Doubled Reverse Lettering= Discovered by Bill Van Note, November 1999.

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