1887-O VAM-21
ErrorDescription
Discovered by Martin Field in April 1982, VAM-21 of the 1887-O Morgan Dollar features a mintmark variety where the O is tilted slightly to the right. Because each working die at the New Orleans Mint received its mintmark through individual hand-punching, the angle at which the punch struck the die face varied, creating tilt and positional differences that serve as diagnostic features. The O tilted right on VAM-21 distinguishes it from centered or left-tilted mintmark positions on other 1887-O pairings. Cataloged as plate 21 III2 1 - C3c (181), this variety presents a normal obverse paired with a C3c reverse carrying the medium-sized, centered but rightward-tilted mintmark. The 1887-O was produced in substantial quantities at New Orleans, which struck Morgan Dollars from its 1879 reopening through 1904. Struck in 90% silver and 10% copper at 26.73 grams, this New Orleans issue rewards collectors who compare mintmark orientation against reference images under magnification.
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