1892-O VAM-12

Description

Discovered by George Peterson in January 1997, the 1892-O VAM-12 Morgan Dollar is distinguished by two unusual characteristics: a 9 positioned below Liberty's hair and overlapping edge reeding at three distinct locations around the coin's rim. The low 9 — seated below the normal baseline established by the other date digits — reflects die manufacture variation in date punch placement. The overlapping reeding is the more remarkable feature: at three separate points around the edge, the reeding pattern doubles back on itself, creating visible overlap where reed lines cross. This edge anomaly results from the collar die — the restraining ring that forms the coin's edge during striking — being improperly aligned or having been manufactured with an inconsistent pattern. Edge reeding errors are among the less commonly cataloged varieties because they require examination of the coin's third surface rather than just obverse and reverse. The New Orleans Mint struck 2,744,000 Morgan Dollars in 1892, a relatively low output, and Peterson's discovery added an edge-focused variety to the catalog of this scarce date.

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