1880-CC VAM-1

Description

Baseline variety for the 1880-CC Morgan Dollar, VAM-1 represents the normal die pairing designated III2 1 on the obverse and C3a on the reverse under the Van Allen-Mallis classification system. The reverse die features a large V-shaped CC mintmark from the Carson City Mint alongside slanted arrow feathers — the SAF designation indicating the eagle's arrow feather alignment angles downward rather than lying horizontal. Die pair III2 1 denotes a normal die of the III2 obverse type, while C3a identifies a normal reverse of the C3 type. As the baseline variety, VAM-1 establishes the reference standard against which all other 1880-CC die pairings are compared, making it essential for collectors working through the VAM catalog for this date. The Carson City Mint, operating in Nevada from 1870 through 1893, produced Morgan Dollars in comparatively modest quantities that have made CC-mintmark issues perennially popular with collectors. The 1880-CC saw a mintage of just under 600,000 pieces, and the SAF Large CC combination documented in VAM-1 represents the standard configuration collectors encounter most frequently for this scarce Western mint date.

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