1890-S VAM-7A

Description

Originally discovered by Lance Newman at OCC 2016 and redesignated as VAM-7A in 2017, this variety on the 1890 San Francisco Morgan Dollar is cataloged as III2 1, C3a (S Tilted and Slanted Left, Die Gouges Cap, Die Breaks Right Wreath) with die pair 190. The S mint mark is tilted and slanted to the left, giving this coin its primary attribution. The reverse (C3a) displays small die breaks in the right wreath opposite AR in DOLLAR and CA in AMERICA, along with a fine radial die crack from the denticles at RI in AMERICA, though no displaced field break had yet developed at the documented stage. This variety was formerly cataloged as VAM-1J before receiving its current designation. The combination of a tilted and slanted mint mark with die gouges on the cap and die breaks in the wreath documents multiple stages of die deterioration on this 90% silver dollar. The 1890 San Francisco issue produced over 8 million Morgan Dollars, and the progression from VAM-1J to VAM-7A reflects the ongoing refinement of the VAM cataloging system as researchers better understand die relationships.

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