1880-O VAM-48 Hangnail Eagle, Doubled UNITED, Doubled 8

Discovered by Jeff Oxman, April 1999. Former 1880-O VAM-1A. VAM-1A discovered by Lewis Wotring, November 1971.
This coin is a Top 100 Morgan VAM.
48(formerly 1A) III236 · C3l (Hangnail Eagle, Doubled UNITED, Doubled 8) (176)
Obverse III236– Second 8 slightly doubled at lower left outside of top loop. Some specimens show line on base of 1 due to weak strike.
Reverse C3l– UNITED letters doubled towards rim and top of coin, left star strongly doubled towards rim, left wreath leaves slightly doubled on left edge. Die gouge through the eagle’s left tail feather and lower arrow feather. I O mint mark.

Emission Sequence: Obverse:; Reverse:

Comments:

This VAM has a reverse die gouge emerging from the eagle's tail feathers earning it the nickname Hangnail. If your coin has the Hangnail gouge, be sure to check the obverse for the very rare 1880-O VAM-49 (former 1880-O VAM-6B) overdate feature on the obverse.

Threads:

LVA Plate Photos:

Additional Photos:

The VAM-48 has a curved gouge on the obverse, seen in third photo below.This secondary diagnostic can be used when examining circulated specimens or internet pictures to distinguish the VAM-48 from the much rarer VAM-49.

Hi-Res Photo of VAM-48 Courtesy of ©Todd Pollock / Blu62vette of http://www.bluccphotos.com/ Hit Ctrl+ at the same time to view larger sizes