1896-P VAM-25A

Description

First cataloged in 2016, the 1896-P VAM-25A Morgan Dollar carries the classification III2 23 · C3a (Doubled Profile, Near Date, Thread-like Impression Wreath Leaf) with an unassigned die pairing number. The obverse (III2 23) presents a slightly doubled profile on Liberty's nose, chin, and jaw — a subtle but diagnostically significant set of displacements affecting the facial contour line of Morgan's Liberty portrait, where even minor hub displacement creates measurable separation along the sharp profile edge. A nearly vertical polishing line inside Liberty's ear serves as an additional obverse die marker, likely introduced during die preparation or maintenance when mint workers filed the die face. The designation "Near Date" indicates the date numerals are positioned closer to the denticles than the standard placement for 1896-P dies, creating a tight spacing that distinguishes this obverse die from others in the date-mint family. The reverse (C3a) exhibits a faint thread-like die impression at the outer leaf positioned opposite the U of UNITED — an anomalous linear feature in the wreath that does not correspond to any intended design element, possibly originating from a die defect, foreign material impression, or contact mark transferred during the die manufacturing process. George T. Morgan's design was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1896-P had a mintage of approximately 9.976 million pieces. The three-part diagnostic profile — doubled facial contour, near date position, and thread-like wreath impression — provides a distinctive combination that separates VAM-25A from the many other 1896-P die marriages cataloged in the Van Allen-Madison reference system, and the profile doubling on the nose, chin, and jaw is best examined under side lighting that emphasizes the separation along Liberty's facial silhouette.

External References