1886-O VAM-19A

Description

Discovered in 2014 by Russell James, the 1886-O VAM-19A is cataloged as III2 12 - C3b with the title Doubled 18, O Tilted Left, Clashed Reverse TY, and is noted as findable in proof-like surfaces. The obverse die III2 12 shows doubling on the 18 of the date. The reverse die C3b carries a clashed die signature: a faint raised tip of the Y at the right side of the sixth tail feather from the right, and a raised bar of the T shaft at the top edge of the top leaf of the first left wreath leaf cluster. The clashing is described as unusual, occurring out of collar with a shift and slight rotation of the dies, producing an atypical clash geometry. Morgan Dollar die clashes occur when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them, transferring incuse impressions of each design. The T and Y visible here derive from TRVST on the obverse, clashed onto the reverse tail feathers and wreath. The 1886-O has a relatively limited mintage in the Morgan series, and VAM-19A's combination of date doubling and multi-letter clash geometry makes it a multi-diagnostic variety.

External References