1887-S VAM-21A
Error
Description
Originally cataloged as VAM-5A, this San Francisco Mint Morgan Dollar was renumbered to VAM-21A in November 2023. Classified as 21A III2 1 - C3h with a rarity rating of 186, the variety is labeled "Near Date, Die Breaks Lower Hair" and carries a DPIS rating of LE3/RE4, indicating the relative die-state position within the emission sequence. The obverse date is set at the left edge of the normal lateral position, with several small die breaks developing in Liberty's lower hair curls and some die file lines visible in the surrounding fields. The Reverse C3h die has the S mintmark set slightly to the right of center. Die file lines in the fields are remnants of the die-finishing process, where Mint engravers smoothed the die surface, and their presence alongside the die breaks suggests this die was in service long enough for both production artifacts and deterioration to become visible. The renumbering from VAM-5A to 21A reflects the VAM cataloging system's ongoing reorganization as the Morgan Dollar reference evolves.
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