1890-P VAM-1C

Description

Discovered in July 2006 by Ron Fischer, the 1890-P VAM-1C Morgan Dollar carries the classification III21 · C3a (Denticle Impressions Below Rt. Tail Feathers) with an unassigned die pairing number. The reverse (C3a) presents a remarkable anomaly: three rows of two to three raised triangular dots positioned below the right tail feathers, with two additional dots adjacent to the tail feather ends. These triangular dots maintain the same lateral spacing of approximately 0.03 inches as the obverse denticle points adjacent to the field — a measurement match that identifies the source of the impressions as denticle-pattern transfers from the obverse die or a hub component, where the characteristic spacing and triangular morphology of the denticle tips were inadvertently impressed into the reverse die face during manufacturing or handling. The denticle impression transfer mechanism is diagnostically distinctive: rather than die clashing (which transfers broad design elements) or hub doubling (which displaces the entire die design), this variety shows localized transfer of the border pattern specifically, suggesting a contact event during die preparation or assembly that was limited to the peripheral denticle zone interacting with the reverse die's tail feather region. George T. Morgan's design was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1890 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1890-P had a mintage of approximately 16.8 million pieces. The geometric regularity of the triangular dot pattern — maintaining consistent spacing that matches the obverse denticle pitch — provides strong evidence for the mechanical origin of these impressions and distinguishes them from random die damage, die chips, or accumulated debris marks that would lack such systematic spacing.

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