1888-O VAM-28

Description

Discovered by C. Logan McKechnie in November 2004, this 1888-O Morgan Dollar is classified as 28 III217 C3a (Doubled Ear, 1 in Denticles), featuring an obverse anomaly where traces of the numeral 1 are visible in the denticles — evidence that a date punch was positioned too high during die preparation. Struck in 90% silver at the New Orleans Mint, the 1888-O already enjoys strong collector interest owing to several significant VAM varieties, including the famous "Hot Lips" doubled die. The obverse, classified III217, shows the ear slightly doubled at the right inside. The top of the 1 appears as a raised tip in the denticle space to the right of the first 8, with a curved bar in the left adjacent space below the first 8. The date sits at the right edge of normal position. These denticle impressions indicate an initial date-punching attempt was aborted after the 1 made partial contact, and the die was repositioned for final placement. The reverse is designated C3a. Morgan's silver dollar design was in its tenth year, and the New Orleans Mint was processing peak quantities of mandated silver.

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