1880-O VAM-12A

Description

Discovered by John Coxe, this 1880 New Orleans Morgan Dollar VAM-12A is defined by doubled digits 1, 8, and 0 in the date along with a distinctive scratched nose on Liberty's portrait. A long thin vertical die scratch runs down the nose through the nostril to the upper lip, cutting a visible line across the most prominent facial feature. The profile shows very slight doubling where secondary outlines trace Liberty's contour. Catalog notes indicate that all VAM-12 family members likely carry the nose scratch, suggesting this feature originated on the die before subsequent modifications differentiated the sub-varieties. The New Orleans Mint, operating from 1838 to 1909, struck Morgan Dollars with production characteristics shaped by the facility's machinery conditions. The nose scratch provides the most immediate visual diagnostic — a single raised line spanning from the bridge through the nostril to the lip is identifiable even on moderately circulated specimens. The doubled date digits 1-80 require closer examination but confirm the hub displacement defining the VAM-12 obverse. Some isolated die polishing lines on forehead, at earlobe and on lower right of neck. Threads 600px 2 sets Full Coin Copyrighted© VAM-12A Images on loan to VAMworld courtesy ©http://www.ha.com/ Heritage AuctionsATTRIBUTED BY Mitch Hill Top

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