1884-O VAM-5B

Description

Bill Van Note discovered this 1884-O Morgan Dollar variety in July 2004, identifying a clashed die impression on the obverse as the distinguishing feature. Cataloged as VAM-5B with classification III214 - C3a (Far Date, Clashed Obverse st), the obverse die shows a partial incuse impression of the letters "st" from the word "Trust" on the reverse, transferred during a clashing event in the right hair vee area of Liberty's lower hair edge. Die clashing occurs when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them, impressing elements of one die's design into the opposing die face. The far date position — where the date digits sit further from the rim than the normal placement — serves as an additional diagnostic characteristic. With approximately 9.7 million Morgan Dollars struck at New Orleans in 1884, multiple die pairs were employed during the production run, and some of the most fascinating varieties arise from these operational incidents. The "B" suffix distinguishes this die state from the earlier VAM-5 and VAM-5A listings, indicating that the clashed die impression represents a specific stage in the die's working life that was documented separately from the parent variety.

External References