1884-O VAM-16A
Error
Description
Discovered by Pat Mullen in 2010, the 1884-O VAM-16A is classified as 16A III2 5 – C3a (Very Far Date, Long Die Scratch Liberty's Head) (181) and features one of the more dramatic die scratches documented on a New Orleans Mint Morgan dollar. A very thin, long circular die scratch runs from the front of the neck-chin junction upward through the mouth, nose, front of the eye, forehead, and hair to the E of LIBERTY, tracing nearly the entire profile of Liberty's face. The obverse also shows a few isolated polishing lines above the top cotton leaves. The date is positioned very far from its normal location. Collectors should note the complex cataloging history: a previous VAM-16A listing was reassigned as VAM-19A in 2006, and the current listing replaced it in 2010. Furthermore, VAM-16, VAM-16A, and VAM-16B share neither obverse nor reverse dies, meaning each is a completely independent die marriage despite their sequential catalog numbers. The 1884-O Morgan dollar is a heavily collected New Orleans issue, and the face-length die scratch makes VAM-16A a visually striking variety.
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