1885-CC VAM-2B

Description

Discovered by Russ James in 2014, the 1885-CC VAM-2B is classified as III2 2 - C3a and designated "Dash Under 8, Clashed Obverse n, Die Break Star" — a multi-feature variety combining a positional date anomaly, clash mark remnant, and die crack. The obverse (III2 2) shows a radial die crack running from the rim up to the left of the first right star and into the hair, with a displaced field break indicating structural die failure beyond a simple crack. Some specimens also show a radial die crack from the E running over to the nose and eye, though with minimal field displacement at that location. The dash under the 8 in the date is a positional artifact, while the clashed obverse n represents a remnant of the reverse letter n from IN GOD transferred during a die clash event. The 1885-CC Morgan Dollar was struck at the Carson City Mint in Nevada, which operated from 1870 to 1893 and produced coins from Comstock Lode silver and gold. Carson City Morgan Dollars are among the most collectible in the series, commanding significant premiums for the CC mintmark alone. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan in 90% silver at 26.73 grams and 38.1 mm diameter. The 1885-CC had a relatively modest mintage of 228,000 business strikes, making it a scarcer date even before considering die varieties. The displaced field break at the star die crack elevates this variety beyond simple die deterioration, as the physical displacement of die metal creates a raised step on struck coins that is both visually dramatic and diagnostically definitive for die state determination.

External References