1880-O VAM-2B1

Description

Discovered by Scott Hamilton, 1880-O VAM-2B1 is attributed Missing Rear Hair, carrying the designation 2B1 III2 1 – C3a in the VAM reference (page 176). The obverse, III2 1, shows the lower hair polished with the rear hair missing from the cap downward — over-polishing of the die removed the hair detail entirely, leaving a smooth field where strands should be present. The reverse, C3a, uses a small O mintmark, with a die crack from the lower left of the wreath to the rim as the primary reverse die marker. Rarity is rated R-5 or less, under 100 known. The 1880-O Morgan Dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint in 90% silver and is one of the most extensively studied dates in the Morgan series, with a large number of documented VAM varieties. The Missing Rear Hair designation refers to die polishing that permanently abraded away Liberty's rear hair — a form of die maintenance that, taken too far, altered the portrait. The small O mintmark, the wreath-to-rim crack, and Scott Hamilton's obverse attribution together provide the full diagnostic profile for VAM-2B1.

External References