1882-O VAM-18

Description

Discovered by Martin Field in July 1972, the 1882-O VAM-18 Morgan Dollar is one of the early varieties documented during the formative period of VAM collecting and carries the classification III2 11 - C3a (Doubled 882 Left) with die pairing number 176. The obverse (III2 11) presents the date digits 882 doubled specifically to the left: the first 8 is doubled slightly at the lower left outside of the upper loop and the right outside of the lower loop; the top loop of the second 8 is doubled at the top left and the bottom loop is doubled on the left side; and the 2 shares in the leftward displacement pattern. This consistent leftward doubling across three consecutive digits indicates a hub displacement vector oriented to the left during the hubbing process, creating a unified directional signature that distinguishes this die from the many other 1882-O obverse die varieties in the VAM catalog. The reverse (C3a) is classified as a normal die. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and struck at the New Orleans Mint in 1882, composed of 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter and a reeded edge. The New Orleans Mint was one of the most prolific Morgan Dollar production facilities, and the 1882-O had a substantial mintage generating a large population of working dies. Martin Field's 1972 discovery date places this variety among the earliest documented 1882-O VAMs, predating the widespread popularization of VAM collecting that accelerated in subsequent decades. The left-directed doubling pattern across all three visible digits creates a strong diagnostic signature that can be confirmed under 5x-7x magnification by examining the left edges of each numeral.

External References