1890-O VAM-9

Description

Discovered by Guy Messing in October 1979, the 1890-O VAM-9 carries the classification 9 III2 5 C3d, designated Far Date, with emission sequence 181. The obverse die, cataloged as Class III2 5, displays the date positioned further to the right than normal, a shift that becomes apparent when compared side by side with standard-placement 1890-O specimens. The reverse, classified as C3d, features a mint mark set high and to the left. The combination of a far-right date and a high-left mint mark creates a die marriage with diagnostics on both sides. A note of attribution caution accompanies this variety: reference images from an ANACS-attributed 1890-O VAM-9 have been flagged as suspect, with the possibility that the attributed coin may actually represent a VAM-14 second die pair. This uncertainty underscores the importance of careful die marker analysis rather than relying solely on third-party attribution labels. New Orleans Mint Morgan dollars from 1890 were struck in modest quantities compared to Philadelphia output, and the far date positioning of VAM-9 provides a distinctive diagnostic for collectors working through this date.

External References