1888-O Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-001

Description

Cross-referenced as VAM-4 in the Van Allen-Mallis system, WDDO-001 on the 1888-O Morgan dollar bridges two attribution frameworks — the Wexler die variety catalog and the VAM die marriage classification. This dual listing underscores the overlap between specialized variety attribution (focused on the mechanical process that created the doubled die) and the VAM system (which catalogs complete die marriages encompassing obverse characteristics, reverse characteristics, and mintmark details as a unified entry). The 1888-O Morgan dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint, which operated from 1838 to 1909 and produced coins with characteristics often reflecting older equipment, less precise die alignment, and distinctive mintmark styles compared to Philadelphia's output. New Orleans Morgan dollars are broadly collected for their Southern provenance, and the combination of a doubled die obverse with the O mintmark adds variety interest to an already collectible mint facility. The Wexler designation as 1888-O $1 WDDO-001 places it as the primary doubled die obverse listing for this date and mint combination, while its VAM-4 cross-reference connects it to the broader community of Morgan dollar die marriage specialists. Collectors approaching from either direction — DDO specialists or VAM collectors — will find the same coin, illustrating how different classification systems converge on the same physical die variety.

Attribution History

• Discovered by Richard M. Prouty (Photos by Frank M. Zapushek) Cross References: VAM 4
• VAM 4; Wexler Variety ID: 1888-O $1 WDDO-001
• Expert attribution by Wexler Team

External References