1887-O VAM-24

Description

Discovered by Jeff Oxman in October 1997, the 1887-O VAM-24 Morgan Dollar is classified as "Doubled Eyelid and Ear," designated III220 - C3a with die pairing number 181. This New Orleans Mint silver dollar weighs 26.73 grams, measures 38.1 mm in diameter, and is composed of 90% silver and 10% copper. The obverse (die state III220) exhibits bold doubling inside the right portion of Liberty's ear, creating one of the most visually striking facial feature doublings in the entire VAM catalog. Slight doubling is also visible on the lower eyelid front, on the hair strands just to the right of the ear, and on the lower cotton leaf on the left side of Liberty's cap wreath. Collectors have noted that diagonal scratches extend from the hanging curl in front of the ear, providing additional diagnostic detail for attribution. Jeff Oxman, one of the foremost VAM researchers and co-author of several Morgan Dollar variety references, identified this variety through careful examination of the facial features, an area where hub doubling produces particularly compelling visual effects because of the fine engraving detail involved. The 1887-O Morgan Dollar had a mintage of approximately 11.5 million pieces at the New Orleans Mint, a facility that operated from 1838 to 1909 and produced Morgan Dollars noted for their often soft strikes and distinctive mintmark styles. The ear doubling on VAM-24 is considered a strong pickup point because it can be detected with relatively low magnification, making it accessible to VAM collectors at coin shows and dealer inventories.

External References