1889-O VAM-7

Description

Discovered by George Mallis in July 1964 and revised in 2020 by LD Lane (also known as ChiefRet), the 1889-O VAM-7 Morgan Dollar carries the classification III2 4 – C3a (Doubled 1-89 & Ear) with die pairing number 181. The obverse (III2 4) presents strong doubling on the digits 1-89: the 1 is doubled strongly at the bottom of the upper crossbar, the 8 and 9 are doubled at the top outside of their respective loops, and Liberty’s ear is slightly doubled at the right inside — a combination of date and portrait doubling that provides multiple diagnostic zones across the obverse die face. The date sits at the right edge of the normal lateral position. Faint die polishing lines running in various directions between the cotton bolls serve as the obverse die marker, a secondary identification feature resulting from maintenance polishing of the die surface. The reverse (C3a) is classified as a normal die with no significant anomalies. The 1889-O Morgan Dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. George T. Morgan’s design was in its twelfth year. The 1889-O is notably one of the key dates in the Morgan Dollar series, with the date commanding substantial premiums in all grades. George Mallis’s 1964 discovery places this among the earlier VAM attributions, and LD Lane’s 2020 revision reflects ongoing scholarly refinement of the VAM catalog’s descriptions and classifications. The strong doubling on the 1 and the top-outside doubling on the 89 digits creates a variety where the date area provides the most immediately visible attribution evidence.

External References