Q. David Bowers
Quite possibly, some minor modification was made in 1884 to both dies, a change which has not yet been identified. In any event, these large and small dot coins of 1884 create an interesting variety, and they are considered quite scarce.
On a very few 1886 coins from the New Orleans mint a raised "E" clash mark from the "E" in LIBERTY on the obverse may be seen between the ribbon bow and the left tail feathers of the eagle on the reverse. These are very difficult to locate in any grade, and because the 1886-O is a key coin in Mint State, high-grade specimens are very rare.
In the following year two more overdates surfaced, one from the Philadelphia Mint and the other on a few New Orleans coins. These were rather late discoveries in the Morgan series, and on each the lower right curve of the 6 may be seen at the lower right outside of the base of the 7. Both are rare in Mint State, especially the 1887/6-O.
One of the most popular and spectacular Morgan varieties exists on some 1888-O coins. This strongly doubled die obverse is affectionately referred to as "Hot Lips" due to the obvious doubling in that area as well as on the rest of Liberty's profile. Rolls exist of this variety in the lowest circulated grades, but the collectibility increases as the grade approaches Mint State, and EF-AU specimens are worth significant premiums. Only one or two Uncirculated pieces have been reported.
The year 1889 has its entry in the variety sweepstakes with the 1889-O with a clashed "E" on the reverse, similar to the 1886-O. This is very difficult to find, especially in higher grades due to the rarity of the date itself in Mint State. So far, none has been reported in Uncirculated condition.
The turn of the decade gives us an unusual variety in the 1890-CC "Tail Bar." This popular VAM has a heavy die gouge leading down from the junction of the arrow feathers and the left tail feathers to the leaves in the wreath on the reverse. This variety is known in Mint State.
Anomer "E" reverse very much sought after is me 1891-O.
This third clashed "E" from the obverse LIBERTY (remember that LIBERTY is incused, so the clashed "E" is raised on all of these), has part of the "R" also visible. This is the strongest of the "E" reverses. As with all the varieties mentioned, the closer the specimen gets to Mint State, the rarer the variety.
The last year of the nineteenth century gives us several more overmint mark varieties, the 1900-O/CCs, VAM 7 through 12. At least six Carson City reverse dies, left over from 1893, were utilized in 1900 to strike coins at the New Orleans Mint. On most of the six dies the mintmark was partially polished off, leaving only portions of the two C's visible after the O was punched in. The VAM-12 is the strongest of these known.
The following year, 1901, holds another very popular and strong doubled die. Second only to the 1888-O "Hot Lips" in doubling strength, this rates as one of the most eagerly sought of the VAMs. The doubling shows nicely not only on the tail feathers, but also on the arrow shafts and feathers, the branch and leaves on the wreath, and the eagle's lower wing feathers and talons. This variety actively trades in any grade, and really becomes a prize in EF or better. Only one Mint State example has been reported of this 1901 Doubled Reverse.
The final major Morgan variety is the 1903-S Micro s, VAM-2. A rare and very popular VAM, the Micro s is very scarce in any grade, very rare in VF, and extremely rare in EF or better. The coin is unknown in Mint State.
A. George Mallis on Collecting
The following contribution to this book is by A.
George Mallis, distinguished scholar and co-author (with Leroy C. Van Allen) of The Comprehensive Catalog and Encyclopedia of Morgan & Peace Silver Dollars:
At the beginning of World War I in Europe, the United States had come of age and was ready to become one of the great world powers. Earlier, America had engaged and won a war against Spain, Teddy Roosevelt defied the Congress and sent his "Great White Fleet" on a cruise around the world on a "show the flag" mission, Arizona had become the 48th state, and life in the United States was good. In fact, an expression of the times was "sound as a dollar" to indicate how well the United States (or any individual) was with respect to business, commerce and the financial world. While this reference was to the paper dollar, it must be remembered that behind each paper dollar was a silver dollar, a Morgan dollar, payable to the bearer on demand.
Interest in collecting Morgan dollars has increased since 1966 from only a handful of serious collectors to where today these are the most widely collected coins in the United States. There are so many ways to collect these majestic coins that the possibilities are great that one or more way will appeal to just about every collector.
The traditional basic American habit of collecting is to acquire one coin of each date and mint to form a complete set. One may also collect by specialized unit such as all the coins by year of a specific mint; for example, the coinage of the historic Carson City Mint. In addition one may choose to collect all of the overdates of which this series abounds. Of course, if one has the patience one could try to assemble all of the presently known VAM varieties or just the varieties for the Philadelphia mint for 1878, the first year of issue, where there are 115+ varieties for this one year and mint alone.
The cost of forming these collections could run from a million or more dollars for a complete date and mint set in Mint State 65 down to a few thousand dollars for the set, excluding the 1893-S and the 1895, if the collector is satisfied with coins in the EF state.
For the specialized collections in MS-63, to acquire all of the 1878 Philadelphia Mint die varieties would not entail a great amount of money as most of this series generally can be purchased for about a hundred dollars or less each. A few will cost more. If one were satisfied with EF-40 coins for this collection, about a thousand dollars would probably be enough. On the more exotic side, a complete set of Carson City issues in MS-63 would require an expenditure of significantly into five figures. For those with unlimited funds and years to devote, a collection of all of the VAM varieties, some 1,500 plus, in MS-63, would be possible although some of these varieties are not currently known to exist in this state of preservation.
Take your choice and collect what pleases you. Happy Morgan dollar collecting!
My friend of many years, David Bowers, has asked me for a list of my favorite Van-Allen Mallis varieties. Here they are my "Baker's Two Dozen Favorites":
1. 188O VAM-6. 8/7 spikes at top of 8, overdate.
2. 1880 VAM-7.8/7 crossbar, overdate.
3. 1880-CC VAM-5. 8/7 high, overdate.
4. 1880-CC VAM-6. 8/7 low, overdate.
5. 1880-O VAM-4. 80/79 overdate. 6.
6. 1880-O VAM-5. 8/7 "ear," overdate.
7. 1880-S VAM-12. 8/7 spikes at top of 8, overdate.
8. 1887 VAM-2. 1887/6 overdate.
9. 1887-O VAM-3. 1887/6-O overdate.
10. 1901 VAM-3. "Shifted Eagle."
11. 1888-O VAM-4. "Doubled Head."
12. 1900 VAM-11. "Doubled Eagle."
13. 1889-O VAM-1A. Incuse "E" on reverse.
14. 1900-O VAM-10. O/CC overmintmark, centered die chips.
15. 1900 VAM-7. O/CC, low, overmintmark,
16. 1900-O VAM-8. O/CC centered-shift left, overmint-mark.
17. 1900-O VAM-9. O/CC centered-shift right, overmint-mark.
18. 1900-O VAM-11. O/CC high shifted left, overmint-mark
19. 1900-O VAM-12. O/CC high shifted right"overmint-mark.
20. 1878 VAM-44 B/Ad. (3 Tail Feathers)
21.1878 VAM 34 B/Ae. (4 Tail Feathers)
22.1878 VAM-38 B/Ah. (5 Tail Feathers)
23. 1878 VAM-41 B/ Ak. (7 Tail Feathers)
24.1887-O VAM-2. Doubled 1, Triple 7.
25. 1921 Morgan. VAM-2. Infrequently reeded edge.