1890-O VAM-8

Description

George Mallis discovered this New Orleans Morgan Dollar variety in February 1974, with the listing revised in 2009. Classified as 8 (revised) III2 1 - C3e with a rarity rating of 181, the VAM-8 features an O mintmark tilted to the right. The Reverse C3e die carries a Roman numeral III size O mintmark positioned at normal height but rotated from the standard upright orientation. A die gouge above the first left berry cluster on the wreath provides a useful reverse die marker for confirmation. One of the most notable characteristics of this variety is the occurrence of a rotated reverse measuring approximately 36 degrees counterclockwise — meaning the entire reverse design is turned relative to the obverse. Rotated reverses in this era typically resulted from improper die installation in the coining press and are independently collectible. The combination of a tilted mintmark with a significant die rotation makes the VAM-8 a doubly interesting variety within the 1890-O Morgan Dollar series, offering two distinct attribution features on a single coin. 1890-O VAM-8 O Tilted Right Discovered by George Mallis, February 1974.

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