1884-CC VAM-3A

Description

Discovered by Mark Kimpton in February 2003, this Carson City Morgan dollar is cataloged as VAM-3A under classification III23 with a C3a reverse, titled Doubled 188 Left, Die Break Left Wreath Top, carrying a rarity rating of 177. The obverse exhibits counterclash doubling at the back of the Phrygian cap ribbon, requiring careful magnification to distinguish from mechanical doubling. The reverse tells a more dramatic story: heavy multiple clash marks appear alongside die breaks at the top right of the left wreath, damage resulting from repeated clashing events. The top of the right wreath displays a clash vee below two additional clash vees, layering evidence of multiple clash episodes. With the 2003 revision, the die break to the wreath became the defining feature separating VAM-3A from the parent VAM-3. Some specimens also show a 3+1 clash pattern on the reverse in the right wreath. Carson City Morgan dollars command significant collector premiums, and the clash-related die breaks on VAM-3A give this variety a dramatic appearance that rewards close inspection. Reverse C3a– Heavy multiple clash marks with die breaks at top right of left wreath from die clash.

External References