1891-O VAM-11A

Description

Discovered by Peter Hohnstein in 2013, VAM-11A for the 1891-O Morgan Dollar carries classification III2 6 with reverse C3f, described as "Near Date, O Set Right, Clashed G." The obverse reveals a clashed die with a faint partial incuse G from the reverse's "GOD" transferred into Liberty's neck area — a telltale sign that the obverse and reverse dies struck each other without a planchet between them, impressing reverse design elements into the obverse die surface. The reverse shows the O mintmark centered and upright but positioned slightly to the right of typical placement. The "Near Date" designation indicates the date digits sit closer to the rim than on other 1891-O die pairings. New Orleans struck 7.95 million Morgan Dollars in 1891, and the identification of clashed letter transfers requires careful examination under magnification to distinguish genuine clashing from die scratches or polishing artifacts. The rarity designation of 181 places this variety at a moderate scarcity level within the VAM population reporting system.

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