1889-O VAM-13B

Description

Larry Briggs discovered this New Orleans Morgan dollar in August 2003, and it carries a WOW! Morgan VAM designation reflecting its dramatic die deterioration. Cataloged as VAM-13B under classification III2 8 with a C3a reverse, titled Far Date, Crumbled Stars, it carries a rarity rating of 181. The date sits further right than normal, while extreme die wear manifests as built-up metal on all left stars, the first right star, and E-P of the motto, directed toward the coin's center. This variety represents the terminal state of an extremely stressed obverse die, where die fatigue has caused metal flow across the entire face but is most obvious on the left stars and EP. The crumbled star effect occurs when repeated striking breaks down sharp star points into rough, irregular masses of displaced metal. VAM-13B specimens are very difficult to locate, reflecting the brief period between the onset of extreme deterioration and the die's inevitable retirement. The far date placement combined with the unmistakable crumbled star surfaces makes attribution straightforward once a candidate specimen is identified.

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