1881 (O) Morgan Dollar - VAM-29

Description

Discovered by Herb Zepke in August 1998, the 1881-O VAM-29 Morgan Dollar is designated 29 III2 18 - C3a (Doubled 18 and Stars) with die pairing number 176. The obverse (III2 18) presents a complex doubling pattern across multiple design elements: the numeral 1 is slightly doubled below the upper crossbar, the first 8 is doubled at the right inside of the lower loop, and all left and right stars are slightly doubled on their surfaces toward the rim. Additionally, the top of the Phrygian cap is very weakly doubled, along with Liberty's nose, lips, and chin — demonstrating how hub displacement during the hubbing process can produce varying degrees of doubling across different elements depending on their position, relief depth, and orientation relative to the displacement vector. The reverse (C3a) is classified as a normal die with no significant anomalies. The star doubling toward the rim is diagnostically important: it indicates the secondary hub impression was shifted slightly outward from center, causing all peripheral design elements to show doubling displaced rimward. The 1881-O Morgan Dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The New Orleans Mint, located on Esplanade Avenue, operated from 1838 through 1909 with an interruption during the Civil War, producing Morgan Dollars from 1879 through 1904. George T. Morgan's design features Liberty wearing a Phrygian cap on the obverse and an eagle with outstretched wings on the reverse. The 1881-O had a mintage of approximately 5.7 million pieces. The breadth of this variety's doubling — spanning date digits, stars, cap, and facial features — makes it one of the more comprehensive doubled obverse varieties within the 1881-O die marriage family.

External References