While not the rarest Morgan dollar, it is far more scarce than a standard 1878 strike. It is often listed among top VAM varieties on platforms like identify the doubling on this specific variety under a magnifying glass?
The represents everything exciting about die variety collecting: a hidden-in-plain-sight treasure, a dramatic visual error (the "Scarface"), and extreme rarity born from a failed die. It is a coin that demands patience, a keen eye, and a willingness to learn. vam 122 key
Before diving into the specifics of the VAM 122, it is crucial to understand the system. In the 1960s, Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis cataloged die varieties of Morgan and Peace dollars. Each VAM number describes a unique combination of the obverse (front) die and reverse (back) die. While not the rarest Morgan dollar, it is