1884-O VAM-4A

Description

Brian Raines discovered this die marriage in May 2004. The 1884 New Orleans Mint Morgan Dollar VAM-4A is classified as 4A III2 19 C3a (Doubled 18, Overlapping Reeding) with die pair 181. Struck in 90% silver, the obverse shows doubling on the 18 digits of the date, and the reverse carries a vertical polishing line at the top of the I in In. The edge presents an unusual characteristic: reeding overlaps for approximately 8 segments at the 9 or 11 o'clock position instead of the typical 7 o'clock location, documenting an atypical collar alignment during striking. The same obverse die was used for 1884-O VAM-4, establishing a shared obverse relationship linking these two varieties through a common portrait die paired with different reverse dies. The overlapping reeding, where collar segments compress against each other during striking, provides an edge diagnostic uncommon among Morgan Dollar varieties. The New Orleans Mint produced substantial quantities of Morgans, and the combination of date doubling, the polishing line on the reverse I, and displaced overlapping reeding creates a three-zone diagnostic spanning obverse, reverse, and edge.

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