1921-P VAM-1

Description

Discovered by Zedell Jackson in November 1967 — among the earliest systematic Morgan dollar variety attributions — 1921-P VAM-1 is catalogued as 1 IV 1 · D1a — 17 Berries. The obverse IV 1 shows the normal 1921 Philadelphia die of IV type with an open 9, and the bottom of the 1 slants slightly left. The reverse D1a is identified by 17 berries on the wreath, with the top berry on the left side well above the bow ribbon loop and the second berry from the top well above the long leaf below. The eagle's right talon shows three full talons with the fourth talon faint. The 1921-P Morgan dollar in 90% silver holds a unique place as the final year of the original production run, struck from new master dies after a seventeen-year gap. Philadelphia produced over 44.6 million Morgans that year, the highest single-year mintage in the entire series. Rarity: R-3, estimated 501 to 1,300 known, making VAM-1 the most commonly encountered die variety for this date and mint.

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