1884-O VAM-5D

Description

Revised to 5D (revised) III2 4 - C3a (181), this 1884 New Orleans Morgan Dollar is designated Far Date with Dots Above Arrow Head, discovered in 2013. The reverse die (C3a) shows two small dot gouges at the upper edge of the top arrowhead with a spacing of 0.04 inches — notably wider than the 0.03-inch denticle spacing, confirming these are die gouges rather than denticle impressions. Edge reeding is overlapping for approximately 5 segments at 4 o'clock and 8 segments at 9 o'clock, a feature shared with 1884-O VAM-42B, suggesting these two varieties may share a relationship in the collar die used during striking. Despite carrying the VAM-5 base number, VAM-5D shares neither die with VAM-5, VAM-5A, or VAM-5E — a situation where the numerical grouping reflects an older cataloging convention rather than actual die linkage. Some specimens exhibit slight doubling of the eyelash above and hair above the ear on the obverse. The New Orleans Mint produced Morgan Dollars from 1879 through 1904, and the 1884-O is among the more available dates, making it a fertile field for VAM variety research.

External References