1879-O VAM-11

Description

Leonard Hinckley first documented the 1879-O VAM-11 Morgan Dollar in February 1974, making it one of the earlier-discovered varieties in the VAM catalog. Classified as 11 III2 6 · C3f (Doubled 8-9) with die pairing number 176, the obverse (III2 6) exhibits the 8 in 1879 doubled at the left and top inside of the lower loop, with polishing marks visible inside the lower loop and at the lower right inside of the upper loop — these polishing marks indicating post-hubbing die maintenance that partially obscured but did not eliminate the doubling evidence. The 9 is doubled on the top surface of the left outside of the lower loop, providing a second doubled-digit diagnostic. The reverse (C3f) features a type IV O mintmark set to the left and tilted slightly to the right — the mintmark position and tilt being diagnostically important because each New Orleans Mint working die received its O mintmark through individual hand-punching, creating unique placement characteristics that distinguish one die from another. The Morgan Dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint in 1879, composed of 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. George T. Morgan designed the Liberty head obverse and heraldic eagle reverse, and the coin features a reeded edge. The 1879-O was produced during the second year of Morgan Dollar coinage, a period when the Bland-Allison Act mandated the Treasury purchase and coin large quantities of silver, driving production at all three operating mints. The polishing marks inside the lower loop of the 8 create an interesting layered diagnostic where collectors can observe both the original hub doubling and the subsequent die maintenance that partially modified the doubling's appearance. Examination under 7x to 10x magnification focused on the 8 and 9 digits reveals the characteristic doubled profiles that define this variety.

External References