1887-O VAM-1

Description

Designated as the baseline "Normal Die" variety for the 1887 New Orleans Mint Morgan Dollar, VAM-1 serves a foundational role in the VAM attribution system. Every date and mintmark combination receives a VAM-1 to establish the standard die characteristics against which all other varieties are measured — making it not an error or anomaly but a reference point. Cataloged as 1 III2 1 with classification C3a (Normal Die), die pair 190, this variety nonetheless rewards close inspection. Some specimens exhibit die chips between the loops on both sides of the first 8 in the date, a form of progressive die deterioration that varies across the die's working life. The reverse features a circular medium O mintmark centered and upright, establishing the standard mintmark position for the 1887-O series. The New Orleans Mint produced Morgan Dollars from 1879 through 1904, and its output is distinguished by mintmark style variations, positional differences, and die-state progressions that have yielded one of the richest VAM catalogs of any branch mint. Identifying VAM-1 confirms a coin represents the normal die marriage and excludes it from other attributed varieties.

External References