1890-CC VAM-12

Description

Discovered by Martin Field in April 1981, the 1890-CC VAM-12 Morgan Dollar is designated as a Far Date, Double C variety, cataloged as 12 III2 3 - C3h. This Carson City Mint dollar features two principal diagnostics. On the obverse, a diagonal die gouge in the back of the eye serves as the primary die marker — a tool-inflicted mark on the die surface that transfers as a raised line on struck coins, located in one of the most scrutinized areas of Liberty's face. The "Far Date" designation indicates the date numerals are positioned further from the rim or from each other than the standard die alignment for this date-mint. The reverse presents a Double C classification: the left C of the CC mintmark is doubled at the top inside, indicating the C mintmark punch was applied twice with slight offset, producing a visible secondary impression at the top of the C's interior curve. VAM research has established that the exact same obverse die used for the 1890-CC VAM-12 was also used to produce the 1890-CC VAM-4 (the famous TailBar variety), demonstrating that working dies could be paired with different reverse dies during their service life. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan, struck at the Carson City Mint in Nevada in 90% silver, weighing 26.73 grams at 38.1 mm diameter. Carson City Morgan Dollars are among the most collectible mintmarks in U.S. numismatics, as the Carson City Mint operated only from 1870 to 1893 processing Comstock Lode silver. The 1890-CC mintage of approximately 2.31 million pieces is modest by Morgan Dollar standards, and the connection to the celebrated VAM-4 TailBar die adds provenance interest to this already desirable CC-mint variety.

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