1881-O VAM-1
Error
Description
Cataloged as VAM-1 under classification III2 1 with a C3a reverse, titled Normal Die, this New Orleans Morgan dollar carries a rarity rating of 176 and represents the baseline die pairing against which other 1881-O varieties are compared. The obverse is a normal III2-type die, and the reverse is a normal C3-type die with a tall oval O mintmark, centered and upright. While designated as a normal die, this listing carries significant emission sequence complexity. One die pair attributed as VAM-1 shares its reverse with 1881-O VAM-19 but paired with a normal obverse. Five additional obverses are documented with the VAM-1 reverse that exhibits pitting at the wing-neck gap, placing this die in an emission sequence running through VAM-24.2, VAM-52, VAM-66, VAM-1, VAM-19, and VAM-68. Collectors should note that the wing-neck gap pitting on the reverse provides the key to placing a given specimen within this extended die usage chain. Despite its normal die designation, the rich emission history makes careful die state analysis worthwhile.
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