1891-O VAM-7

Description

Discovered by George Mallis — the "M" in the VAM designation system — in July 1964, the 1891-O VAM-7 Morgan Dollar features a doubled 9 in the date, with the open-style 9 showing doubling at its top loop. This obverse anomaly is classified as III2 3, pairing with a C3b reverse that carries a mintmark tilted to the right — though the accompanying note cautions that the mintmark tilt is not very pronounced, requiring careful measurement against reference photographs for reliable attribution. George Mallis's foundational work on Morgan Dollar die varieties in the early to mid-1960s, alongside Leroy Van Allen's parallel research, culminated in the publication of the comprehensive VAM reference that remains the standard classification system for the series. The 1891-O was produced at the New Orleans Mint, which struck approximately 7.95 million Morgan Dollars that year — a declining output that foreshadowed the facility's reduced role in subsequent years. New Orleans ceased Morgan Dollar production after 1904, and the mint itself closed in 1909, making late-date O-mint Morgans historical artifacts of a facility approaching its operational sunset. The doubled 9 diagnostic on VAM-7 results from the date logotype receiving a slightly displaced second impression during die preparation, creating overlapping numeral images visible under moderate magnification. Combined with the subtle mintmark tilt on the reverse, VAM-7 presents an attribution challenge that rewards careful examination with quality optics.

External References