1890-P VAM-1I

Description

Discovered in 2011 by David Close and documented by VAMWorld, the 1890-P Morgan Dollar VAM-1I is classified as III21 - C3a and bears the descriptive title "Denticle Impressions Wreath Bow." The reverse C3a die shows five scattered raised triangles and dots on the field on the left side of the wreath bow, with a single raised triangle on the field on the right side. These raised features on struck coins correspond to small impressions or cavities in the die surface — possibly caused by the mechanical transfer of denticle pattern elements during die manufacture or by displaced metal fragments that became embedded in the die face. Denticle impressions are an unusual die anomaly that falls outside the more common categories of doubled dies, repunched mintmarks, or die cracks, making VAM-1I a distinctive variety in the Morgan Dollar census. George T. Morgan's obverse design features Liberty facing left with a cap and wheat ear decoration, while the reverse displays the heraldic eagle above a wreath bow where the diagnostic impressions appear. The 1890-P was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams and 38.1 mm diameter, with a mintage of 16,802,000 pieces. The specific distribution pattern — five raised features on the left side of the wreath bow and one on the right — creates an asymmetric diagnostic fingerprint that serves as the primary attribution criterion for this unusual variety.

External References