1898-P VAM-4

Description

Discovered by Leonard Hinckley in February 1974, VAM-4 on the 1898 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar is classified as III2 4-C3a with the descriptor "Near Date, Doubled 8." The obverse die state III2 4 shows the second 8 strongly doubled at the bottom left, a closed 9 (where the loop of the 9 is fully closed rather than open), and the date set further left than normal. The combination of a near (leftward) date position and strong doubling on the second 8 creates a dual-characteristic variety where both positional and doubling diagnostics contribute to attribution. A catalog comment notes that this VAM may show a weak cap vee and neck/right wing clash — or may not, depending on the die state encountered — and that gouges inside the ear opening are a good PUP (Pick-Up Point) for rapid variety identification. Leonard Hinckley's February 1974 discovery makes VAM-4 one of the earliest documented varieties for the 1898-P date, discovered during the foundational era of VAM cataloging when Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis were establishing the systematic classification of Morgan Dollar die marriages. The 1898 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar was struck without a mintmark in 90% silver composition (26.73 grams, 38.1 mm diameter). The strongly doubled second 8, visible at the bottom left of the digit, provides the most accessible diagnostic for this variety, as strong doubling on a date digit is often detectable at lower magnification than subtle inscription or design element doubling. The ear gouges as a PUP offer a rapid pre-screening method before detailed examination.

External References