1888-S VAM-17

Description

Among the most recently discovered Morgan Dollar varieties, this San Francisco Mint 1888 issue was attributed as VAM-17 in November 2024 by Samuel Hatcher, with die pair III2 9 and reverse C3h. The obverse date sits in a normal lateral position, but a distinctive patch of gouges extends from the denticles by the second right star into the field. Additional obverse die markers include polishing lines on LIBERTY and around the cotton bolls, plus a small die chip between the upper cotton leaf and wheat leaf. The reverse carries an S mintmark centered, upright, and slightly high, accompanied by two significant die gouges: one running from the branch near the outer talon on the eagle's right foot down to the upper arrow feather, and another on the outer wreath leaf opposite the N in ONE. Reverse die markers include lines in the wreath bow and wing-neck gap. The die pair is classified with a DPIS of LH3/RH4. The November 2024 discovery date makes this one of the newest additions to the VAMWorld catalog, demonstrating that even well-studied dates continue to yield previously unrecognized die marriages.

External References