Rob's Top 100 VAMs
1886-O VAM-1A, E on Reverse

Owner Comments:

1886-O VAM-1A Clashed E. During the minting process the presses would sometimes slam the dies together without a blank planchet in the coining chamber. This violent process without a metal blank in between the dies caused damage. The two dies would strike against each other and transfer elements of their design across each side. In the case of the VAM-1A coin, the E in Liberty's head band was transferred to reverse die below Liberty's tailfeathers! Other clashing marks can be see elsewhere on the coin. A typical point to see Morgan clashing is inside the right side of the wreath where a triangular shape is seen impressed from the back of Liberty's head. This is often the easiest evidence of clashing that can be seen with the naked eye and a good pickup point to top you to investigate for transferred letters which can be much harder to see.