1886-O VAM-6
Error
Description
Discovered by George Mallis in July 1964 — one of the two numismatists whose research established the entire VAM classification system for Morgan and Peace Dollars — the 1886-O VAM-6 is identified by a doubled 1 in the date and an O mint mark tilted to the right. The obverse die (III2 4) displays the 1 doubled at its top along with a closed 6 in the date, while the reverse employs die C3c. Cataloged as III2 4 - C3c with variety number 181, this variety bears the distinction of being attributed by one of the VAM system's creators, lending it particular provenance in the Morgan Dollar collecting community. The 1886-O Morgan Dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint, and varieties from this facility — which operated from 1838 to 1909 — are actively sought by Southern mint collectors. The combination of date doubling and a tilted mint mark suggests issues with both the obverse hub impression and the hand-punched mint mark application during die preparation.
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