1885-O VAM-16

Description

Discovered by Bill Van Note in November 1999, this New Orleans Mint Morgan Dollar is designated VAM-16 under Classification 16 III211, C3f, with die pair 181. The variety documents a Dash Under 8 with Far Date, Doubled Arrows, and O Shifted Right, combining multiple diagnostics across both sides. On the obverse, the date is set further right than normal, and a small dash appears under the second 8, providing a distinctive marker. The reverse shows slight doubling on the bottom of the arrow feathers, shafts, and heads, while the O mint mark is shifted slightly right, classified as Type III position. The far date placement and dash under the 8 create a pair of obverse diagnostics that distinguish this variety even before examining the reverse doubling. Struck in 90% silver and 10% copper at the New Orleans Mint, the 1885-O Morgan Dollar is among the more available dates due to the release of Treasury hoards in the mid-twentieth century. Despite this general availability, documented die varieties like VAM-16 with their specific combination of date position anomaly, die dash, and arrow feather doubling remain targets for dedicated VAM collectors.

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