1878-CC VAM-1

Description

The 1878-CC VAM-1 Normal Die represents the baseline die pairing for the inaugural Carson City Morgan Dollar, classified as 1 II 1 B1a. The obverse (II 1) is a normal die of the 1878-P Type II configuration with the 7 in the date doubled slightly on the right side — a hub defect present on all dies produced from this master hub rather than a die-specific variety. The reverse (B1a) presents a normal die of the 1878-P Type B1 with a long center arrow shaft, paired with medium-spaced small CC mintmarks at medium height. This VAM is noted as likely an "empty nest" — a cataloging term indicating that several varieties previously fitting this general description have been listed in greater detail under their own VAM numbers, leaving VAM-1 as a catch-all for specimens that do not match any of the more specifically defined die pairings. The 1878-CC Morgan Dollar holds extraordinary significance as the first silver dollar struck at the Carson City Mint in Nevada, produced from Comstock Lode silver under the Bland-Allison Act of 1878. George T. Morgan's design was struck in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter, and Carson City produced approximately 2.21 million Morgan Dollars in 1878 — a modest production that, combined with the mystique of the CC mintmark, makes all 1878-CC Morgans highly collectible. The Carson City Mint operated from 1870 to 1893 and produced coins from Nevada's rich silver deposits, and the CC mintmark is among the most sought-after in all of American numismatics. Even as a normal die VAM, the 1878-CC carries inherent premium value due to its first-year Carson City status and the enduring desirability of the CC mintmark among Morgan Dollar collectors.

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