1879-O VAM-34

Description

Discovered by Ken Heacock in June 2001, the 1879-O VAM-34 Morgan Dollar carries the classification III2 24 · C3j (Doubled Left Reverse) with die pairing number 176. The obverse (III2 24) shows a tiny bit of doubling at the top and back of the Phrygian cap worn by Liberty, with the die marker of a single long diagonal polishing line running through the middle of the cap band — a distinctive identification feature created during die maintenance that makes this specific obverse die readily identifiable. The reverse (C3j) shares the same hub doubling as the 1879-O VAM-30 C3i reverse but carries a type II O mintmark that is set high and tilted left, distinguishing this die pairing from VAM-30 through its unique mintmark placement. The shared reverse hub doubling between VAM-34 and VAM-30 indicates both reverse dies were produced from the same doubled working hub, with the mintmark differences confirming they are separate working dies that each received their O mintmark punch individually at the New Orleans Mint. The Morgan Dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint in 1879 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter, a facility that operated from 1838 to 1909 and produced coins prized for their Southern historical provenance. George T. Morgan's design was in its second year of production. The diagonal polishing line through the cap band provides a quick first-check diagnostic — collectors examining potential VAM-34 candidates should look for this line before proceeding to verify the subtle cap doubling and reverse mintmark position. The high-left tilted O mintmark further separates this variety from the numerous other 1879-O die marriages in the VAM catalog.

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