1889-O VAM-21A

Description

Discovered by C. Logan McKechnie in February 2009 and revised in 2015 by Ljs123, VAM-21A on the 1889-O Morgan Dollar is classified as III2 1-C3i with descriptors "Clashed t, O Set Left" and die pair number 181. The obverse die state III2 1 features a clashed die with a partial incuse lowercase "t" from the reverse "Trust" visible in the right hair vee of Liberty's lower hair edge — a telltale transfer mark left when the obverse and reverse dies struck each other without a planchet between them. The reverse die state C3i identifies a Type III O mintmark set to the left of its standard position. A catalog note indicates a "Large file clash overlay" is associated with this variety, suggesting documentation imagery showing the clash transfer pattern overlaid on the die for analysis. The 1889-O Morgan Dollar is one of the key semi-key dates in the Morgan series, with a relatively modest mintage of approximately 11.9 million pieces struck at the New Orleans Mint. In 90% silver composition (26.73 grams, 38.1 mm diameter), the 1889-O is particularly valued in higher grades where the combination of lower mintage and typically weak New Orleans strikes creates significant scarcity. The clashed "t" from Trust appearing in the hair vee is a recurring clash pattern across Morgan Dollar varieties because the physical alignment of "Trust" on the reverse corresponds spatially with the hair vee area on the obverse when the dies face each other. The leftward-set O mintmark adds a positional diagnostic to the die clash attribution, creating a dual-characteristic variety.

External References