1889-O VAM-1B

Description

Discovered in 2017 by LD Lane (known in the VAM community as ChiefRet), the 1889-O VAM-1B Morgan Dollar carries the classification 1B III2 1 – C3a (Radial Die Break E, Collar Clash at 1–3 Left Stars) with die pairing number 181. The obverse (III2 1) exhibits a collar clash on the rim producing reeding indents at left stars 1 through 3 and very slightly at the E of E PLURIBUS — evidence that the collar (the circular retaining ring that forms the coin's edge during striking) was misaligned or improperly seated, allowing its reeded inner surface to impress onto the obverse die face during one or more strikes. The ear is slightly doubled at the right inside, adding a secondary diagnostic. The reverse (C3a) shows a heavy radial die crack extending from the rim down through the E of STATES to the left edge of the W in WE and continuing to the top of the eagle's head, accompanied by a displaced field break at the junction from E to WE. This progressive die crack system documents severe structural failure in the reverse die where repeated striking loads propagated fractures along stress lines radiating from the rim inward. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and struck at the New Orleans Mint in 1889 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. Collar clashes are an uncommon class of minting variety distinct from standard die clashes, because the transferred impressions originate from the collar's reeded edge rather than from the opposing die face, and their presence on the obverse of this variety — combined with the dramatic radial die crack on the reverse — creates a die marriage with two entirely different types of production anomalies.

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