Tag Archives: Morgan Dollar

Identifying Counterfeit 1889-CC Morgans

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Fortunately, the 1889-CC Morgan dollar has only three known major die varieties (VAMs), each with specific die markers. This makes it easier than other dates with more markers when identifying counterfeits.

The most common practice is to add a CC to the common 1889 Philadelphia Morgan. That is why knowing the die markers for authentic coins is so important.

A mere 350,000 coins in 1889 were struck at the Carson City Mint, and hundreds of thousands of those were melted after 1918 due to the Pittman Act. This makes it a nifty target for criminals. Moreover, the common date 1889 Philadelphia is used for an added mintmark. Here is an example from NGC:

Right off the bat, veteran hobbyists know that the mintmark used in the above example is the wrong one for an 1889-CC dollar.

In this article we will explore die markers for the three aforementioned VAM varieties. The main difference is the position and appearance of the date and mintmark, which uses the larger elliptical “CC” mintmark in production between 1879 and 1893.

Let’s start there by showing the mintmark of an 1878-CC and 1889-CC Morgan:

Note the smaller, thicker non-elliptical mintmark of the 1878-CC. Difference is easily recognizable.

VAM-1 Normal Die

The date “1889” has a normal lateral position, and the mintmark on the reverse is also in a standard position relative to the other devices there. Example:

VAM-2: High 9, Doubled 1

The numeral “9” is set higher than the other numerals in the date, sometimes even with a doubled “1.”

The “CC” mintmark is typically placed further to the right than in other varieties.

VAM-3: Far Date

The entire date is farther to the right than normal and also may also slightly slanted.

The second “C” of the reverse mintmark is higher than the first “C,” as this Vamworld photo shows.

A couple of things before ending here. If you don’t know VAMs and die markers, do NOT purchase a raw 1889-CC Morgan. There are thousands of counterfeits circulating in online auctions. Knowing VAM die markers can be challenging; but once you master them, you’ll be able to inform others when they ask whether their coin is genuine or fake.

If you want to learn about VAMs, start with this beginner’s guide by expert Jack Riley.

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Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, YouTube and social media. To get the latest discussion and commentaries, click here.

You can find more information about errors and varieties as well as buying and bidding on coins in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider purchasing the work for yourself or a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist website. Thank you.

Ladies Liberty Wish You Happy Holidays

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View the forgotten women whose beauty metamorphosed to Lady Liberty on our coins. I bring them to life so that we remember Anna Willess Williams, teacher and philosopher, and Teresa de Francisci, model. Anna was a classic beauty (inside and out) and Teresa, a Mediterranean immigrant who became the American symbol of freedom and worldwide peace. Proxiblog will be posting again on Jan. 2, 2026.

Valuable Nicknamed Morgan Varieties

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When hobbyists give nicknames to coin varieties, you can count on three things: they are popular, easy to spot, and valuable.

Interestingly, two of the coveted Morgan dollar varieties are found on the obverse of 1888-O. The other two occur on reverses of the 1890-CC and 1901 dollars, respectfully. These four are also known by two other designations: DDO and DDR and VAM, which stands for “Van Allen and Mallis,” referring to a study by Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis of Morgan and Peace dollar die varieties. 

Here are the VAM designations for the above nicknamed coins:

  • 1888-O VAM 1B “Scarface”
  • 1888-O VAM 4 “Hot Lips”
  • 1890-CC VAM 4 “Tailbar”
  • 1901 VAM 3 “Shifted Eagle”

Now let’s explore the diagnostics.

1888-O VAM 1B “Scarface”

The scar on the face of Lady Liberty was due to a die crack. Look at the E from “PLURIBUS” running across the face from the nose to the hair curls. PCGS has holdered about 75 of these, so this qualifies as a rarity, with values in the hundreds for fine through extra fine and in the thousands for almost uncirculated and low mint state. Check PCGS for latest prices.

1888-O VAM 4 “Hot Lips”

The doubling here is easy to see without a loupe and has three distinct marks: a doubling along the nose, a second pair of lips and chin. PCGS has holdered hundreds of these across all conditions. Hundreds more are out there undiscovered. Values are $100+ for F12 with thousands for low mint state samples. Check PCGS CoinFacts for latest figures.

1890-CC VAM 4 “Tailbar”

The tailbar is easily seen with the naked eye, descending from the bottom feather of the eagle to the wreath. PCGS has holdered 1,200 of these in various conditions, with hundreds of dollars for fine examples and thousands for low mint state. Check PCGS CoinFacts for updated retail prices.

1901 VAM 3 “Shifted Eagle”

The “shift” in the eagle is concerns doubling below the tail feathers. Values range from $100 in fine to thousands in almost uncirculated and above. Hundreds have been holdered across the Sheldon 1-70 scale. Check PCGS CoinFacts for latest values.

The best place to find Morgan varieties like this are in online auctions. You can go to the preferred online sellers tab of Proxiblog to access reputable sellers. Often auctioneers (and bidders) do not realize that they have a variety because they did not know how to identify them. That is why coin collecting requires continuous study and knowledge of articles like this.

Be sure to check the Proxiblog “error and variety” list to familiarize yourself with other errors and varieties across denominations.

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Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups, YouTube and social media. To get the latest discussion and commentary, be sure to friend us by clicking here.

You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.

Meet the Micro O Counterfeit Family!

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By Jack Riley

There exists a family of counterfeits that fooled collectors and grading services for decades. The “Micro O” varieties have always been scarce coins to come by, and in 2005, these were deemed counterfeit by PCGS when 3 examples showed repeating circulation marks between the 1896 O VAM-4, 1900 O VAM-5, and 1902 O VAM-3.

Pictured below shows the repeating marks found on the three dates, indicative of transfer die counterfeits.

Images courtesy of PCGS

Along with the announcement that these varieties were counterfeit, PCGS offered “buy backs” for coins it had authenticated. Some 95 examples were certified among the three dates. PCGS no longer will authenticate 1896-O, 1900-O, and 1902-O with micro mintmarks.

Here is what the company stated in a news release:

“Grading and variety experts at PCGS have recently uncovered undeniable evidence that three of the so-called Micro O’ Morgan varieties, the 1896-O, 1900-O, and 1902-O, are actually contemporary counterfeits, most probably struck outside the US Mint sometime in the early 20th century. This is a significant discovery and one that will certainly have an impact on Morgan dollar variety collectors.”

This begs the question of how many such fakes exist today in PCGS holders? Prior to 2005 the market exceeded $1,000 per coin in many cases and up to $5,000 in higher grades. Assuming PCGS paid fair market value then surely most of these were sold back!

This 1902 O VAM-3 sold at Heritage Auctions on November 19th, 2002 and realized a price of $192.

Two years later the price for these coins exploded with a VF20 example selling for $2,070 on November 4th, 2004.

Images courtesy of Heritage Auctions

Later another 1902 O VAM-3 in VF30 for $5,100 in a Superior Galleries auction. That was auction lot#871 in January of 2005. (No photos of this coin.)

These coins still exist in ANACS holders with most available ones in Gen5 and Gen6 slabs. I had purchased this 1900 O VAM-5 VG Details example in August of 2024 for $150. This coin resides in a Gen6 ANACS holder that was used from 1999-2005. During the same time my friend and fellow counterfeit researcher Jack Young acquired one as well. Both of which have consecutive certification numbers pictured below. My example (top) and Jack Young’s example (bottom).

Recently an 1896 O VAM-4 appeared in a Great Collections auction in a Gen5 ANACS holder. After buyers fees this coin landed at $200. I was fortunate to acquire this example.

At the same time of this listing was also another 1900 O VAM-5 that sold the same night as the 1896. I happened to be the underbidder and the coin sold for $140 prior to fees. Later that night I received a message that a friend and fellow collector had won and the coin found a good home! This coin also resides in a Gen5 holder which was used between 1996-1999 to put a time-frame to when this coin was certified.

I hope to see these coins grow in popularity! The exact story is unclear as to who made these or when although a few theories are posed. A likely theory was disgruntled mint employees after the New Orleans Mint closed in 1909. These coins circulated indicating they were struck in a time when the price of silver was still well below the face value of the coin.

Since the discovery of these “Micro O” counterfeits, 32 die varieties have been linked to this massive operation. Two other Micro O varieties exist (1901 O VAM-42 and 1902 O VAM-96). Those were omitted from this article due to having a different reverse than the three discussed. Many of the varieties associated with this “family” are readily available and can be cherrypicked for the price of an average Morgan Dollar.

These contemporary counterfeits will pass virtually every test including measurement, weight, and Sigma Metalytics examination since these scan closer to sterling silver. The “mix matched” dies make telling many varieties easy to spot at a  glance by using incorrect reverse hub types for the years.

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You can find more information about errors and varieties as well as buying and bidding on coins in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider purchasing the work for yourself or a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist website. Thank you.

Wrong GSA COA and Counterfeit Holders

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GSA Carson City dollars are among the most popular coins for collectors. But like anything else these days, you need to be on the lookout for switched out certificates of authenticity and counterfeit holders, often containing Chinese fake coins.

Here’s how to fact-check the COA. The first two numbers of the identification number need to match the last two of the date inside the holder.

If the first two numbers do not match the last two of the date, the COA has been tampered with. See below.

The eBay offering above states that the GSA Carson City dollar includes “original box & COA.” That’s wrong. The certificate of authenticity here is for an 1884-CC dollar, not an 1883-CC dollar.

That means at some point the original certificate was lost or put into the box of another GSA dollar.

In 1970, Congress authorized the General Services Administration to sort and box the hoard of Carson City silver dollars for sale to the public. While the wrong COA won’t diminish by much the worth of a GSA dollar, collectors do like to have the original paperwork.

Of greater concern are coins in counterfeit holders. But luckily, there’s a way to tell the difference.

The Chinese counterfeit holders use a blank black plastic insert. Genuine holders use a higher grade of plastic that on close examination show a textured surface.

Compare the fake holder (left) with the authentic one (right).

Here’s a closer look:

If purchasing a China fake GSA holder and coin, check the coin for counterfeit, using methods of this Proxiblog article. You might get a replica, a base metal fake or a real coin with problems.

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You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.

What “guide” are sellers actually using?

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Unscrupulous sellers often use the word “guide” to fool new collectors, inflating a coin’s worth. Sometimes they inflate the grade on a flip; other times, on a bottom-tier slab, knowing there is no way for you to check the certification. This article showcases one such seller so you can see how it’s done and how to avoid.

I have bought from this seller before but always am wary because he tends to inflate the value of coins with the mysterious “guide” tag.

First of all, the only reliable guides are ones by top-tier holdering companies, such as PCGS and NGC, whose high standards are meant for sight-unseen purchases. PCGS guide for a 1900 Morgan at MS65 is $275. NGC prices the 1900 MS65 in its holder is $235.

Perhaps the seller can make a case for this particular coin being higher than these retail prices because of the toning. There is no “guide” for toned coins.

Also, this particular coin has environmental damage on the reverse:

Finally keep in mind that the only real guide for buyers are PCGS/NGC major auction house hammer prices, ranging from $175-$250 on average for an MS65 1900 Morgan.

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Proxiblog also has thousands of followers on Facebook Coin Groups and across social media. To get the latest discussion and commentary, be sure to friend us by clicking here.

You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.

“Cleaned and Retoned” Silver Coins

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The main difference between a naturally toned coin and a cleaned and retoned coin concerns lies in surface originality, color progression, and the presence of underlying mint luster. Naturally toned coins develop their color over decades of slow, passive environmental exposure, preserving the coin’s original surface. Cleaned and retoned coins have had their original surface layers stripped away by abrasives or chemicals and then stored in cardboard, typically, or some other envelope that triggers toning.

The coin below is cleaned and retoned with significant flaws, including scratches on the cheek area, a prominent place for deductions in grading. The damage would be more prevalent without the toning, which often masks flaws.

The above coin was offered in an eBay auction as a monster rainbow coin. It does have that natural rainbow of gold, amber, red, green and blue hues. But those probably occurred after the 1883-O Morgan dollar was dipped and placed in an album long ago.

The difference between natural toning and cleaned and retoned concerns chemical reactions. Genuine toning is vibrant with colors blending like a rainbow in distinct patterns. Cleaned and retoned can have the same patterns, but the colors are washed out.

See the differences in these 1903 Morgan dollars:

Be especially careful when purchasing unholdered toned coins on eBay. Many of the offerings will be cleaned and retoned. See these three below:

If you are looking for more information about natural patina, see “Types of Toned Coins.”

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You can find more information about types, varieties, errors, grading, bidding and buying in Coin News Updated: The Essential Guide to Online Bidding. Please consider buying or gifting the work for a friend, as it underwrites this hobbyist blog. Thank you.