1902-P VAM-23

Description

Discovered in 2011 by the collector known as BJV, the 1902-P VAM-23 Morgan dollar is classified as Doubled Ear and Profile, Near Date, Doubled Reverse Lettering. The obverse (III2 13) presents a nicely doubled ear — the most visually striking feature — showing secondary images at the right inside of the ear and the lower cotton leaf on the left side. The profile is doubled from the forward hair edge down to the chin, and the date is positioned further left than typical, consistent with the Near Date designation. The reverse (C4g) shares hub doubling with VAM-22 (C4e) but from a distinct die; two small die marker lines below the olive branch distinguish this die from related varieties. A single-olive reverse configuration is present. The ear doubling is among the more tractable VAM obverse features to identify in the field, as the ear's high relief preserves doubling well even on circulated examples. Collectors are advised to examine the ear first, then verify the profile spread and the two-line die marker below the olive before submitting for attribution on this Philadelphia-struck 90% silver dollar.

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