1891-O VAM-4A

Description

Originally discovered by Herb Zepke in March 2001, this New Orleans Mint Morgan Dollar was designated VAM-4A with classification III2 2 and reverse die C3b, described as O Tilted Right, Die Break Below ONE. The variety was eliminated from the active catalog in October 2022 when it was determined to be a duplicate of VAM-3A2. The obverse die III2 2 is a normal die with an open 9 in the date. The reverse C3b features a short, thick die break from the rim and denticle to the bottom of the O in ONE, creating a visually prominent raised mass connecting the edge to the denomination text. This reverse was shared with 1891-O VAM-3, VAM-4, and VAM-4A, establishing a family of varieties connected through their common reverse. The variety number 181 places this within the 1891-O framework. The elimination as a duplicate of VAM-3A2 illustrates the ongoing refinement in VAM cataloging, where varieties initially believed distinct are sometimes consolidated upon closer study revealing they represent the same die marriage previously cataloged under a different designation.

External References