1888-O VAM-2

Description

Melvin Carmichael discovered VAM-2 in August 1951, with significant revisions completed in 2008 — one of the longest-documented varieties in the New Orleans Morgan series. Classified as a Top 100 Morgan VAM, VAM-2 is cataloged II21 · C3b, entry 181, and named Oval O Normal Date. The obverse (III21) presents Die 1, with the date at the right side of the normal position and very slight doubling of the nose and upper lip profile, plus the top of the Phrygian cap. These obverse details are subtle and typically require 10x magnification to confirm. The reverse (C3b) features a tall, oval medium II-style O mintmark set high — the "Oval O" descriptor that defines the reverse identification at a glance. Die 2, which pairs with a different obverse, was separately designated as 1888-O VAM-34, making VAM-2 specific to Die 1 obverse pairings. The 1888-O Morgan Dollar is a 90% silver New Orleans Mint issue. The Top 100 designation drives strong collector demand, and the high-set oval O mintmark is the most accessible diagnostic feature for initial attribution, visible without magnification on mid-grade examples.

External References