1881-O VAM-14

Description

Originally discovered by Jim Baxter in May 1978, this New Orleans Mint Morgan Dollar carries the VAM-14 designation with classification III2 6 paired with reverse die C3a, described as Doubled First 8, Die Gouge DO. The obverse die III2 6 features a spike in the first 8 of the date along with surface doubling at the bottom right outside of the lower loop. This combination of a spike and doubling on the same numeral creates a distinctive diagnostic. The reverse C3a is classified as a normal die but carries a doubled die gouge through DO in DOLLAR. The reverse is shared with 1881-O VAM-42, establishing a die linkage between two varieties using the same reverse paired with different obverses. This shared reverse relationship is valuable for die study researchers reconstructing the sequence of die marriages at the New Orleans Mint during 1881. The variety number 176 situates this within the documented 1881-O die pair population, where the combination of obverse date doubling and reverse die gouging through DOLLAR provides clear attribution markers on both sides.

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