1888-O VAM-26

Description

Discovered by C. Logan McKechnie in November 2002, VAM-26 of the 1888 New Orleans Mint Morgan Dollar is classified as a Doubled Arrow Shaft and Wreath Bow variety, with doubling concentrated on the reverse. The reverse, classified C3m under catalog entry III21, shows slight doubling on the lower arrow shaft, the top inside of the wreath bow, designer's initial M, the left star, and the bottom outside of the ONE DOLLAR letters. This broad distribution of reverse doubling across multiple design elements — from the central wreath detail to peripheral lettering — indicates a meaningful misalignment during the hubbing process. A note in the VAM record indicates that this entry appears to be a duplicate listing of VAM-9, a determination that VAM researchers occasionally make when closer examination reveals that two separately cataloged varieties share the same die characteristics. If confirmed as a duplicate, VAM-26 would be eliminated and consolidated into the earlier listing. The 1888-O Morgan Dollar is a common date widely available in uncirculated condition, making it a practical candidate for VAM variety hunting.

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