1888-P VAM-9B

Description

Discovered in June 2009 by Ben Wengel, the 1888-P VAM-9B Morgan Dollar carries the classification III27 · C3a (High Date, Counter-clash Neck) with die pairing number 190. The obverse (III27) displays a slight counter-clash impression at the upper part of Liberty's neck and upper lip — a counter-clash being the transfer of design elements from the opposing die back onto the originating die through a two-step process where an initial clash impression on a struck coin then impresses itself back onto the die during a subsequent strike. This subtle transferred image at the neck and lip area represents one of the more nuanced variety types in Morgan Dollar collecting, requiring careful examination to distinguish from normal die flow lines or deterioration. The reverse (C3a) is a normal die with no significant anomalies. An important attribution note clarifies that the 1888-P VAM-9 and 1888-P VAM-9A are NOT the same die pair as the 1888-P VAM-9B — despite sharing a similar VAM base number, these are distinct die marriages that must not be confused during attribution. Additionally, the date on this variety sits on the cusp between normal and near positioning, though it is not notably slanted, making date position a secondary rather than primary diagnostic criterion. George T. Morgan designed this silver dollar, struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1888 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1888-P had a mintage of approximately 12.2 million pieces. Counter-clash varieties require patience and proper lighting to identify, as the transferred impressions are inherently faint — being secondary impressions of secondary impressions — and can be easily overlooked without deliberate examination of the neck and lip zones under magnification.

External References