1889-O VAM-5A

Description

Identified by Brent Fogelberg in 2011, VAM-5A on the 1889-O Morgan Dollar exhibits doubled digits on the 1 and 8 of the date, paired with a diagnostic radial die crack at the right side of the S in STATES on the reverse — a progressive die failure that distinguishes this die pairing from the base VAM-5. The "A" suffix denotes a later die state or sub-variety branching from the parent classification. Plated as 5A III2 2 C3a on page 181, the designation identifies the second die pair within Obverse Die Class III2, combined with Reverse C3a. New Orleans produced 11.875 million Morgan Dollars in 1889, placing the date in the mid-range of the series by mintage. The radial die crack at the S in STATES provides a reliable reverse-side diagnostic for quick attribution without requiring examination of the more subtle date doubling. VAM-5A's relatively recent 2011 discovery illustrates the ongoing nature of Morgan Dollar die variety research, with new die states and sub-varieties continuing to emerge decades after the original reference was published.

External References