1885-O VAM-13A

Description

Discovered in May 2013 by Kevin Slack, the 1885-O VAM-13A "Far Date, Clashed Obverse N" Morgan dollar combines two distinct diagnostic features: a date positioned further from the portrait than standard, and a clash impression showing the reverse letter N from "In" transferred to the obverse near Liberty's neck. Cataloged as 13A III2 10 · C3a (Far Date, Clashed Obverse N) (181), this variety documents both a date punch positioning anomaly and a die clash event on the same die. George T. Morgan's obverse places the date below Liberty's portrait, and the "far date" positioning — set further from the bust than normal — indicates the date punch was placed lower or more outward during die preparation, creating measurable spacing differences compared to standard die configurations. New Orleans struck approximately 9.19 million Morgan dollars in 1885, a date that is particularly notable in the series as the 1885-O is relatively common in higher grades due to large Treasury bag releases over the decades. The Obverse III2 10 die classification indicates a less common obverse die type that helps narrow attribution. The clashed N — a faint partial incuse impression of the letter n from the reverse inscription "In" (from IN GOD WE TRUST on the reverse, which clashed onto the obverse near the neck area during a die-clash event) — provides a secondary diagnostic independent of the date position. Kevin Slack's 2013 discovery added this variety as a sub-designation of VAM-13, sharing base characteristics but distinguished by the clash impression. Collectors should first compare date position against standard 1885-O examples to identify the far date placement, then examine the area near Liberty's neck under 15x magnification for the faint incuse N clash impression that completes the dual diagnostic.

External References