1891-O VAM-8C

Description

Produced at the New Orleans Mint, this 1891-O Morgan Dollar VAM-8C exhibits an O mint mark set higher than its normal position combined with distinctive die gouges in the reverse legend. A long, shallow horizontal die gouge cuts through the top of the letters IB in PLURIBUS, with additional short horizontal die gouges visible between the letters of PLUR — marks likely caused by tool contact during die preparation or maintenance. Classified as 8C III2 1 - C3e (181), the variety also shows the date positioned at the left edge of its normal lateral range, a subtle placement diagnostic that helps distinguish this die from others used during 1891 New Orleans production. The high O mint mark is a positioning variety where the letter punch was placed above its typical location on the reverse die, creating a measurable displacement from the standard mint mark height. Combined with the multiple die gouges in the PLURIBUS area, these features provide collectors with several attribution points for confident identification of this specific die pair.

External References