1892-O VAM-6

Description

Maurice Dubreuil, one of the prolific early contributors to Morgan Dollar variety research, discovered VAM-6 of the 1892-O Morgan Dollar in April 1978. The obverse features an Open 9 in the date with the date set further left than normal, creating a positional diagnostic distinguishing this die from other 1892-O pairings. On the reverse, the O mintmark sits higher than its standard position, providing a second attribution point. Date placement variations arise during die-making when the date logotype is punched at a slightly different lateral position than intended, and the Open 9 style reflects a specific digit punch configuration. The New Orleans Mint produced Morgan Dollars from its 1879 reopening through 1904, and its hand-punched mintmarks and date digits ensured a steady supply of positional varieties. Cataloged as plate 6 III2 5 - C3b (181), VAM-6 combines date style, date position, and mintmark placement into a triple-diagnostic variety. Struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, this New Orleans issue is identifiable through careful comparison of date placement relative to the denticles and bust truncation. =1892-O VAM-6 Near Date= Discovered by Maurice Dubreuil, April 1978.

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