1902-P VAM-5A
Error
Description
Discovered in November 2009, the 1902 Morgan Dollar VAM-5A is a late die state of VAM-5 that adds raised rust patches between the letters A and T in STATES on the reverse (die C4a) to the obverse's doubled profile on die III2 5. The rust patches appear as clusters of raised dots on struck coins, created when moisture pitting on the die surface transfers as tiny bumps during striking. Cataloged as variety number 189, the combination of obverse hub doubling and reverse die rust makes VAM-5A a dual-interest variety — documenting both the die production process (doubling) and the die's environmental exposure (rust). The 1902 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar is one of the final pre-hiatus dates in the original series, which ended regular production in 1904. Examining the reverse between the A and T of STATES under magnification reveals the distinctive raised dots that distinguish VAM-5A from its parent variety VAM-5.
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