1891-O VAM-3A1

Description

Designated a Hot 50 Morgan VAM, the 1891-O VAM-3A1 stands among the most sought-after die varieties in the entire Morgan dollar series, prized for its dramatic clash features and tilted mintmark. Classified as 3A1 (revised) III21 · C3b (O Tilted Right, Clashed Obverse O, Reverse Weak ER) (181), this variety showcases a strongly clashed obverse die with a partial incuse O from the reverse mintmark visible above the right wheat leaf. The O mintmark itself is tilted to the right on the reverse. The reverse die (C3b) is equally remarkable: a strongly clashed die preserves a partial raised E from the obverse LIBERTY below the eagle's tail feathers on the left side, with the upper part of the vertical bar and middle serif of the E visible, plus the tip of the R showing to the right of the E next to the tail feathers. The Hot 50 designation reflects this variety's combination of visual drama and collector demand. Clash transfers of this strength are uncommon, as mint personnel typically caught and retired heavily clashed dies before many pieces entered circulation.

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