1888-O VAM-1I

Description

First documented in 2013, the 1888-O VAM-1I is identified by a reverse die bulge below the right tail feathers and the middle claw of the eagle's left foot. The VAM plate notation reads 1I III2 1 - C3a (181), pairing a standard obverse with reverse die C3a. The bulge resulted from over-polishing — a maintenance procedure in which Mint workers removed clash marks by grinding the die face, sometimes removing enough steel to create a localized depression that translates to a raised area on the struck coin. This artifact appears as a smooth, rounded elevation below the tail feathers, distinct from the sharply defined design elements surrounding it. New Orleans Mint Morgan Dollars from 1888 were produced in substantial quantities, making the 1888-O one of the more common dates, yet specific VAM die pairs require targeted searching. The bulge is best observed under low-angle lighting that accentuates surface relief variations, and confirmed specimens should show the raised area in the precise location relative to the tail feathers and eagle's claw.

External References