1890-S VAM-1K

Description

Originally cataloged as VAM-1K, this 1890 San Francisco Morgan Dollar variety was eliminated and reclassified as VAM-38A when researchers determined it belonged with a different die grouping — a significant reclassification that illustrates how the VAM catalog evolves as new evidence refines die attributions. Discovered by Lance Newman in 2016, the variety was initially classified as VAM-1K III 2 1 C3a with the designation "Radial Die Break B Obverse" and emission sequence number 188. The defining feature is a radial diagonal die crack running from the denticles through the B in PLURIBUS and continuing to the right wheat kernels of the wreath stalk, accompanied by a displaced field break to the right of the B where the separated die sections shifted under pressure. The same dies were identified in VAM-38, leading to the reclassification that merged this variety into the VAM-38 family as sub-variety A. Die crack progression through a specific letter and into adjacent design elements provides the primary diagnostic, with the displaced field break confirming significant die deterioration at the time of striking.

External References