1890-O VAM-5
Error
Description
VAM-5 on the 1890-O Morgan Dollar was discovered by Leroy Van Allen himself — co-creator of the Van Allen-Mallis classification system that now bears his name — in November 1973. The variety is catalogued as VAM-5, obverse III2 3, reverse C3a, die pair 181, and is defined by a doubled 9 in the date. The doubling is specific: the 9 shows a thick arc above its left side and a thin line above its right side, with an additional thin line visible at the bottom of the upper loop opening — diagnostics that make the variety identifiable on high-grade examples. The 1890-O Morgan Dollar was struck in 90% silver at the New Orleans Mint. The discovery of this variety by Van Allen personally gives it special historical resonance: the VAM system, developed jointly by Van Allen and A. George Mallis and first published in 1971, transformed Morgan and Peace Dollar collecting, and varieties identified by its creators carry the full weight of that legacy. Cross-reference: VAM-5, die pair 181.
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