1892-S VAM-1A

Description

DHalladay discovered this San Francisco Morgan dollar in 2018. Cataloged as VAM-1A under classification III2 1 with a C3a reverse, titled Pitted Reverse Die With Polishing Lines, this variety is defined primarily by its reverse die condition. Die polishing lines in the upper part of TY in LIBERTY mark the obverse, while the reverse shows die pitting at AM in AMERICA along with a small die chip at the lower right of the star. Polishing lines surround the eagle and letters, with additional lines in the wing-neck gap serving as the reverse die marker. The emission sequence reveals important die relationships: the obverse of VAM-1A represents the early die state of the obverse used on 1892-S VAM-1.2, but VAM-1A does not share its reverse with either VAM-1.1 or VAM-1.2, giving it a unique reverse pairing. The die pitting at AM resulted from rust forming on the die surface during inactivity, transferring raised dots and rough texture onto struck coins. San Francisco Morgan dollars from 1892 carry a modest mintage that enhances interest in tracking these die relationships across multiple VAM listings.

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