1890-P VAM-13

Description

Discovered by Martin Field in June 1981, the 1890-P VAM-13 identifies a Philadelphia Morgan Dollar obverse die where the date was punched further right than the standard position. Classified under the Van Allen-Mallis system as 13 III2 13 with the designation C3a (Far Date) and catalog reference (190), the obverse die III2 13 shows the date set distinctly rightward, creating a measurably wider gap between the rim and the left edge of the 1 than seen on normal 1890-P dies. Date placement on Morgan Dollars was determined by hand-punching, with the engraver positioning a four-digit logotype into the working die — any lateral shift during this process produced a permanent positional variety. George T. Morgan's Liberty Head design, featuring Liberty in a Phrygian cap wreathed in cotton and wheat on the obverse and a heraldic eagle on the reverse, was in its thirteenth year of production by 1890. Struck at Philadelphia in 90% silver at 38.1mm and 26.73 grams. To identify this variety, compare the date position against a normal 1890-P, looking for the rightward shift that places the digits further from the bust truncation and closer to the rim.

External References