1897-P VAM-9

Description

Originally cataloged as VAM-9 with the designation "Doubled Wreaths" in the Van Allen-Mallis system for the 1897 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar, this variety was discovered by Mark Kleiman in October 2006. However, subsequent research determined that VAM-9 and VAM-6 represent the same die pairing — the features initially believed to distinguish VAM-9 as a separate variety were found to match those already documented under VAM-6. As a result, the VAM-9 designation was eliminated and consolidated into VAM-6, and no independent VAM-9 exists at this time. This reclassification illustrates the self-correcting nature of the VAM catalog, where ongoing research by the Morgan Dollar collecting community periodically merges varieties when closer examination reveals that supposedly distinct die pairings are identical. George T. Morgan's design was struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams on 38.1mm planchets. Collectors encountering coins previously attributed as 1897-P VAM-9 should update their records to reflect the VAM-6 classification. The doubled wreaths feature that prompted the original cataloging can be examined on the reverse laurel wreath under 7x magnification.

External References