1888-P VAM-15

Description

Discovered by Herb Zepke in August 1981, the 1888-P VAM-15 "Doubled Last 8" Morgan dollar identifies visible doubling in the lower loop of the final numeral 8 in the date, manifesting as two thick vertical lines within the loop that betray the secondary hub impression. Cataloged as 15 III2 12 · C3a (Doubled Last 8) with die number 190, this variety pairs Obverse III2 12 with a standard C3a reverse die. George T. Morgan's silver dollar was struck at Philadelphia in 1888 with an approximate mintage of 12.16 million coins, a solid production year that generated sufficient die pairs to populate a VAM census extending well beyond 15 entries. The doubled last 8 diagnostic — two thick vertical lines in the lower loop — represents an unusual manifestation of hub doubling where the secondary impression created parallel linear elements within the numeral's curved structure rather than the typical shadowed contour seen on most doubled date varieties. This distinctive appearance suggests the hub displacement vector aligned with the vertical axis of the lower loop, splitting the curved form into visibly separated components. Herb Zepke's August 1981 discovery places this attribution in the early expansion period of VAM research when systematic documentation of Philadelphia Mint Morgan dollars was accelerating. The Obverse III2 12 classification identifies a specific obverse hub type and die number, while the C3a reverse represents a standard die without notable characteristics, concentrating the diagnostic interest entirely on the obverse date area. Neither DPIS entries nor emission sequence data have been recorded. Collectors should examine the lower loop of the rightmost 8 under 15-20x magnification, looking for the two thick vertical lines that distinguish this doubling from normal numeral formation and from die deterioration effects.

External References