1900-O VAM-15A And 1882-CC VAM-2-D Morgan Silver Dollars - Rotated Die Clashing In Obverse Legend?

Okay thanks, that helps. Let's start with the basics. Anything recessed (low) on the coin is raised (high) on the die. Anything raised (high) on the coin is recessed (low) in the die. Thus the devices of the dies are recessed and the field of the die is raised.

So common clash marks such as right wing clash at Liberty's neck on the obverse and capvee clash next to the right wreath tip on the reverse of coins depicts the "edge" of the die between the high points (field) on the die and the "valley" (device) on the die. The right wing clash on the obverse at Liberty's neck is the "edge" between the valley or recess of the wing and the high point or field on the die.

So now to your study. The headband is recessed into the die. The motto letters are raised on the die. So id the dies clash, the first place for clash marks would be on the letters of the motto (recessed into the die). PMD would affect the raised band on the coin first and not inside the letters of the coin. So if the marks you se are on the band but not inside the letters, it won;t be a clash mark. That being said if PMD is severe enough, it could reach the bottom of the motto letters, but that should be obvious PMD at that point.

Hope that helps your project.

If you haven't, you could join Vamworld discussion group. Ask them if they're aware of any clashes on LIBERTY.

Looks like damage to me on the letters. It would be interesting to compare several dollars that are the same VAM.

Some may or may not know the whole VAM thing started with Leroy Van Allen and George Mallis who co-wrote their book about Morgan varieties. The word VAM is an acronym of their names. Last I heard Leroy is still alive but has retired from identifying VAMS and has turned that over to others. Leroy would periodically publish lists of new VAMS and update prior lists. On Vamworld the descriptions are not always complete, just highlights are stated.

As I mentioned you'd have more collectors to look and respond if you posted pics/questions on Vamworld discussion group.

One thing I like to do is download the full coin shots of a VAM from VAMWorld to check them out more closely. Sometimes you can pick out things on the full coin shots that are not always mentioned or picked out in the description. That being said, it could just be die damage and not necessarily clashing, in this case but you could still possibly match it up. If a different die stage though, it might not show.

I asked this in my post on VAMWorld's forum but I figured it was worth asking here as well - Is it known what caused the "Winged L" Die Gouge (shown below) on the 1882-CC VAM-2D?

Excellent Topic,


Clashes, Counter-clashes, Transferred Letters,


Very interesting read. I am impressed with Knowledge seen Here that Exists among members, UnimpossibIe, makecents, VAMsforMoney, and livingwater, Well Done

Unimpossible, Best wishes on Your Project....

VamsforMoney, Your Die knowledge of " Let's start with the basics " Is Awesome .


I can not wait for more feedback, Thank You, MD

I use to play in that arena Long ago, They are a unique, Highly Talented, Very Experienced, Extremely Knowledgeable group. I too use to send examples to Mr Van Allen, He's a Very Unique Co-Founder of the study of VAMS......



May I suggest a Hard copy to research from, The Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan & Peace dollars, By Leroy C. Van Allen & A. George Mallis, Forth Edition is My go to for ANY Morgan and Peace dollar History, A Very handy Over 500 hundred pages of pictorial and Informative Wealth.

Knowledge is Power.....

This Books " VAM " Knowledge skills Will provide you with a Very good Understanding, Thanks Again for Sharing, Please, Reach out any time, If I can help, Best wishes, Mike.