1896-P VAM-13

Description

Discovered by Oscar Simpson in August 1978, the 1896-P VAM-13 "Doubled 1" Morgan dollar identifies a doubled numeral 1 visible below the upper crossbar of the date's leading digit. Cataloged as 13 III2 13 C3a (Doubled 1) with die alignment at 190 degrees, this variety documents a date-punch anomaly on George T. Morgan's silver dollar design where the first numeral received a secondary impression slightly displaced from the primary. Philadelphia struck approximately 9.98 million Morgan dollars in 1896, a moderate mintage that places this date in the mid-range of series production volumes. The Obverse III2 13 classification identifies a specific obverse die type where the doubled 1 serves as the primary diagnostic, with the doubling visible below the horizontal crossbar that connects the two vertical strokes of the serif-style numeral. Oscar Simpson's August 1978 discovery places this attribution in the early expansion period of the VAM catalog, when researchers were systematically documenting Morgan dollar die characteristics beyond the foundational varieties identified by Van Allen and Mallis themselves. The date set further left than normal provides an additional positioning diagnostic that helps distinguish this die from other 1896-P obverse dies before confirming the doubled 1. The C3a reverse classification pairs this obverse with a standard reverse die type, indicating the diagnostic interest lies entirely on the obverse. Emission sequence data for both obverse and reverse dies awaits further documentation, and DPIS (Die Pair Identification System) entries remain unlisted. Collectors should examine the numeral 1 in the date under at least 15x magnification, focusing on the area immediately below the upper crossbar where the secondary impression creates a visible shadow or shelf beneath the primary digit structure.

External References