1879-O VAM-5A
Error
Description
Discovered by LD Lane, known as ChiefRet, in June 2019 and renumbered from VAM-26A in May 2021, 1879-O VAM-5A is attributed Doubled 9, Hair Front Over polished, Die Gouge Wreath Bow, carrying the designation 5A III2 5 – C3a in the VAM reference (page 176). The obverse, III2 5, is the same die as VAM-5 with the addition of a doubled 9 on the right side, and shows over-polished hair front — die metal removed from the hair strands at the front of Liberty's portrait, leaving a smooth area where hair detail should appear. Obverse die markers: a die gouge between the lower cotton leaf and the lower hair curl. The reverse, C3a, uses the small O mintmark, with a die gouge near the wreath bow. Rarity is rated R-5 or less, under 100 known. The 1879-O Morgan Dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint in 90% silver. The renumbering from VAM-26A to VAM-5A reflects attribution research that reassigns numbers when a closer obverse die relationship is established. The doubled 9, over-polished hair front, and wreath bow die gouge create a three-feature diagnostic profile for this variety.
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