1890-O VAM-6

Description

Discovered by Charles Wallace in February 1959, the 1890-O VAM-6 Morgan Dollar is one of the earliest documented VAM varieties, predating the formal publication of the Van Allen-Madison classification system. Classified as III2 1 - C3d (O Set High and Left) with die pairing number 181, this variety's primary diagnostic feature is a reverse (C3d) mintmark set both higher and further left than the standard New Orleans Mint O placement. Mintmark position variations on Morgan Dollars are among the most actively studied features in VAM collecting because each O mintmark was individually hand-punched into the working die, creating unique placement, tilt, and depth characteristics that serve as reliable die identification markers. The obverse (III2 1) carries no significant anomalies. A community commentary note observes that all known specimens appear to be VAM-6A — the die state showing die breaks — and that in 1959, when Wallace made the discovery, only profound die breaks (like the famous "Scarface" variety) were recognized for attribution purposes. This suggests that Wallace's original discovery coin likely already showed the die breaks that would later define the VAM-6A die state, and no specimens from an earlier, pre-break die state have been confirmed. The Morgan Dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint in 1890 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. George T. Morgan designed the Liberty head obverse and heraldic eagle reverse. The 1890-O had a substantial mintage, but the high-and-left mintmark placement creates a distinctive variety within the date that is readily identifiable under moderate magnification when compared to standard O mintmark positioning.

External References