1889-P VAM-10

Description

Discovered by Francis Davis in April 1974, the 1889-P VAM-10 is among the earlier Morgan Dollar VAM attributions for the 1889 Philadelphia date, identified during the foundational period of VAM cataloging when Van Allen and Mallis were building their comprehensive reference work. Cataloged as III2 10-C3a (Far Date, Doubled First 8), the obverse die designated III2 10 shows the date set further right than normal — classified as a "far date" — with the first 8 doubled at the very top outside as a thin arc. The reverse die C3a is a normal die with no distinguishing features. The far date positioning indicates that the four-digit punch used to impress the date into the working die was placed further to the right than the standard position used on other 1889-P die pairings, while the doubling on the first 8 resulted from a slight shift during a second impression of the date punch or during hubbing. The 1889-P Morgan Dollar is well known among collectors for including the scarce VAM-22 "Bar Wing" variety, one of the Hot 50 Morgan Dollar VAMs, which drives extensive searching of this date. The broader 1889 Philadelphia mintage of approximately 21.7 million coins ensured plentiful material for variety hunters, and Davis's 1974 discovery predates the publication of the landmark Van Allen-Mallis reference by several years.

External References