1891-S VAM-1
Error
Description
The 1891-S Morgan Dollar VAM-1 represents the baseline normal die variety for this San Francisco Mint date — the reference point against which all other 1891-S VAM numbers are compared. The obverse employs die III2 1, a normal die of the III2 type, paired with reverse die C3a, a normal die of the C3 type featuring a type IV S mint mark centered and upright. While a normal die designation might seem unremarkable, VAM-1 listings serve an essential cataloging function in the Van Allen-Mallis system by establishing the standard die characteristics for each date and mint combination. Collectors and dealers use the VAM-1 as a reference to determine whether a particular specimen shows the deviations — doubled features, repunched mint marks, die cracks, or other anomalies — that would warrant a different VAM attribution. The 1891-S Morgan Dollar was struck at San Francisco near the midpoint of George T. Morgan's well-established design run, making it a readily available date for building a VAM reference collection.
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