1883-O VAM-1G

Description

Discovered in November 2004 by O.C. Smith Jr., the 1883-O VAM-1G is cataloged as die pair III21 / C3a with the descriptive title "Clashed Obverse Die t." The defining obverse characteristic is a clashed die impression showing a faint partial incuse letter t from the word "Trust" on the reverse, visible in the right hair vee at the lower hair edge of Liberty's portrait. This transferred design element represents the imprint of the reverse die's "t" from IN GOD WE TRUST that was pressed into the obverse die during a clash event — when the dies struck each other without a planchet between them. Additionally, very slight doubling appears at the right inside of Liberty's ear, accompanied by a vertical polishing line at the right inside of the ear, suggesting die maintenance activity that partially obscured or overlapped with the ear doubling. The reverse is classified as C3a, a normal die without distinguishing characteristics. The Morgan dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and struck at the New Orleans Mint in 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1883-O had a business strike mintage of approximately 8.73 million pieces. The clashed t in the hair vee is a classic example of clash transfer that experienced Morgan dollar collectors learn to identify — the right hair vee area is one of the most common locations for reverse clash impressions to appear, as the spacing between the two dies places reverse lettering elements directly opposite this portion of the obverse design.

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