1889-P VAM-1

Description

Serving as the base variety for the entire 1889 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar issue, VAM-1 defines the standard die characteristics against which all other 1889-P varieties are compared. Cataloged as III2 1 - C3a with the designation (189), its defining feature is the "Closed 9" — where the tail of the 9 curves inward to touch the body of the numeral, distinguishing it from open-9 varieties where a gap remains. Both sides use normal dies (III2 obverse, C3 reverse), meaning neither carries intentional doubling, repunching, or other hub anomalies. However, individual specimens may exhibit die chips between the loops of the second 8 on the right, both 8s on the right, or the first 8 on the right and second 8 on both sides — progressive deterioration markers that vary across the production run. These die chip variations illustrate how a single VAM-1 die pair can produce coins with noticeably different secondary characteristics depending on when during production a coin was struck. The 1889 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar was produced in substantial quantities during the mandated silver coinage era.

External References