1885-O VAM-34

Description

Discovered in 2017 by Nate Mailliard, the 1885-O VAM-34 Morgan Dollar carries the classification III2 23 – C3a (Slightly Doubled 88, Light Polishing Lines Face & Neck) with a rarity designation pending confirmation. The obverse (III2 23) presents both 8s in 1885 slightly doubled at the lower left inside of their lower loops, accompanied by light polishing lines visible on the forehead, back of cheek, and back of neck — die maintenance marks introduced to remove surface roughness from the die face. The polishing lines in the facial and neck areas are diagnostically useful because their location on high-relief design features ensures they remain visible even on moderately circulated specimens where field-level details might be worn. The reverse (C3a) carries several tiny raised dots on the right side of the eagle’s wing-neck gap, evidence of minor die pitting or roughness in that area. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and struck at the New Orleans Mint in 1885 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1885-O had a mintage of approximately 9.2 million pieces, with many examples surviving in uncirculated condition from Treasury vault holdings released in later decades, making uncirculated 1885-O Morgan Dollars relatively available despite their age. Nate Mailliard’s 2017 discovery illustrates that new VAM varieties continue to be identified more than a century after the coins were struck, as collectors with fresh eyes and modern imaging tools examine coins that have been in collections for generations. The subtle nature of the doubled 88 — visible only at the lower left inside of each lower loop — explains why this variety escaped detection for over 130 years.

External References