1883-O VAM-18

Description

Discovered by Jim Baxter in February 1978 and cataloged in the Van Allen-Mallis system as obverse III2-5 paired with reverse C3a, the 1883-O VAM-18 is designated the "High 8" variety — a positional anomaly where the second 8 in the date sits noticeably higher than the first 8 and the 3, creating a visually distinctive date arrangement on George T. Morgan's Liberty Head obverse. Additional diagnostic features include faint doubling at the bottom of the 1 and at the bottom inside of the lower loop of the 3 — subtle hub impressions that supplement the primary high-8 attribution. The reverse die C3a carries a fine diagonal polishing line at the bottom opening of the O mintmark, likely created during die preparation at the New Orleans Mint when workers polished the mintmark area to remove burrs or debris. The 1883-O Morgan Dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint in 90% silver, 10% copper composition at 26.73 grams on 38.1mm planchets, with a total mintage of 8,725,000 pieces. The New Orleans Mint, located at 400 Esplanade Avenue, operated from 1838 to 1909 and was known for producing Morgan Dollars with distinctive mintmark styles and die preparation characteristics. VAM-18 is sought by date-and-mint specialists who appreciate the clear visual diagnostic of the elevated second 8 in the date, identifiable even under low magnification.

External References