1889-CC VAM-2

Description

Discovered by Leonard Hinckley in February 1974, the 1889-CC VAM-2 Morgan Dollar is classified with a high 9, doubled 1, and CC mintmark set to the right. The high 9 — positioned slightly above the baseline of the other date digits — and the doubled 1 showing secondary impressions provide the primary obverse diagnostics. The CC mintmark placement to the right of center reflects the hand-punching process at the Carson City Mint. A critical distinction is documented: this is not the same die pair as 1889-CC VAM-2A, requiring careful examination to differentiate between the two closely numbered varieties. The 1889-CC holds exceptional significance in Morgan Dollar numismatics as one of the lowest-mintage business strikes in the entire series, with only 350,000 coins produced. This severely limited output makes any Carson City variety from 1889 inherently rare, and documented die varieties command substantial premiums. Hinckley's 1974 discovery places this among the earliest VAM attributions for the date, predating the expansion of the catalog that would eventually document additional 1889-CC die pairs. ''Die marker'' - Heavy die polishing line at top of E in LIBERTY.

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