1879-O VAM-24

Description

Discovered by Martin Field in July 1982, the 1879-O VAM-24 Morgan Dollar carries the classification III2 17 · C3h (Doubled Date, Low O) with die pairing number 176. The obverse (III2 17) displays doubling on all four digits of the date: the 1 is doubled at the very bottom of the base, the 8 is doubled at the bottom outside of the lower loop, the 7 is doubled on the lower right of the vertical shaft, and the 9 is doubled on the left outside of both loops. This is additionally identified as an Open 9 variety, where the 9's tail curves away from the loop rather than closing against it — a date style distinction actively tracked by Morgan Dollar variety specialists. The reverse (C3h) features a type IV O mintmark set low, upright, and centered within the wreath opening, creating the "Low O" designation that describes the mintmark's position relative to the standard New Orleans placement. The comprehensive doubling across all four date digits — each showing offset at different portions of their respective characters — indicates a hub displacement that affected the entire date logotype uniformly, with the doubling manifesting differently at each numeral based on its geometry and orientation relative to the displacement vector. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and struck at the New Orleans Mint in 1879 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1879-O had a mintage of approximately 2.89 million pieces, a lower production figure that contributes to the date's relative desirability among Morgan series collectors. The combination of four-digit date doubling, Open 9 style, and low-set centered mintmark creates a multi-feature diagnostic that allows step-by-step verification when attributing this variety.

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