1921-P VAM-1AN

Description

The 1921-P VAM-1AN Morgan Dollar is classified as IV1 - D1a (Scribbling Die Scratches) with die pairing number 189. The reverse (D1a) displays fine die scratches running in various directions across the over-polished tail feathers surrounding the eagle's right leg and between the eagle's left wing and body — evidence of aggressive die maintenance where a Mint worker used abrasive tools to polish the die face in these areas, likely removing clash marks or surface imperfections. The multi-directional nature of the scratches, described as "scribbling," indicates rapid, non-systematic polishing strokes rather than the controlled parallel lines produced by machine-assisted die finishing. A distinctive reverse die marker consists of a single diagonal polishing line inside the wreath bow, providing a precise attribution point in a small, defined area of the design. The wreath bow, located at the base of the reverse wreath where it is tied, is a frequently referenced attribution zone for Morgan Dollar varieties because its compact geometry makes any marks within it easily located and compared. As a 1921 Morgan Dollar, this variety was struck during the final year of the series when dates were part of the master die, eliminating date position variation — meaning all 1921-P varieties must be identified through die markers, scratches, and other non-date features. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1921-P had the largest mintage of any Morgan Dollar at approximately 44.7 million pieces. The scribbling die scratch pattern on this variety provides a visible record of the die maintenance techniques employed at the Philadelphia Mint during the final Morgan Dollar production run, when die longevity was likely prioritized to meet the enormous production quotas.

External References