1901-P VAM-18

Description

VAM-18 of the 1901-P Morgan Dollar documents a specific die marriage from the Philadelphia Mint's production during the final decade of original Morgan Dollar coinage. The 1901 Philadelphia issue is notable in the Morgan Dollar series for its relatively lower mintage compared to some other dates, making it a more challenging coin to locate in higher grades. The Van Allen-Mallis number 18 indicates this is the eighteenth documented die variety for the 1901-P date, reflecting the substantial number of die pairs employed during production and the depth of research conducted by VAM attributors over decades of study. George T. Morgan's design, which debuted in 1878 and continued through 1904 before a brief 1921 revival, features his classic left-facing Liberty portrait adorned with agricultural symbols on the obverse, paired with the heraldic eagle reverse that became one of the most recognizable designs in American numismatics. The coin was struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 26.73 grams with a diameter of 38.1 mm and a reeded edge bearing the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The Philadelphia Mint — the original U.S. Mint facility in continuous operation since 1792 — did not use a mintmark on its coins during this era, so the 1901-P designation reflects the absence of a branch mint letter. VAM collectors pursuing completeness for the 1901 date work through all eighteen-plus documented varieties, comparing die characteristics such as date position, mintmark placement variations (on branch mint issues), die cracks, polishing lines, and clash marks to attribute their specimens to specific die pairs within the production sequence.

External References