1891-S VAM-12

Description

The 1891-S VAM-12 is classified as III27 - C3d and designated "Doubled Stars, S/S Left" — combining obverse star doubling with a repunched S mintmark on the reverse. The reverse (C3d) features a Type IV S mint mark that was re-punched with the original position showing as a slanted line in the upper loop opening, a curved arc at the right inside of the lower loop, and a short vertical bar to the left of the lower serif — three distinct remnant traces from the first S impression that together create a complex repunched mintmark signature. Commentary documents that this exact same reverse die was also used to produce VAM-17 of the 1891-S date, establishing a die linkage between the two varieties that confirms they share a reverse die while carrying different obverse dies. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan, struck at the San Francisco Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams and 38.1 mm diameter. The 1891-S had a mintage of approximately 5.3 million coins. San Francisco Morgan Dollars from this period are known for generally superior strike quality compared to New Orleans production. The repunched mintmark on this variety is particularly well-documented, with three independent remnant features — slanted line, curved arc, and vertical bar — providing redundant diagnostics that make attribution highly reliable. Repunched mintmarks on Morgan Dollars are among the most actively collected VAM categories because they represent direct evidence of the hand-punching process and often exhibit visually dramatic ghost images of the original mintmark position that are accessible to collectors at moderate magnification levels.

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