1896-O VAM-16

Description

Discovered by Leroy Van Allen in February 1981 and revised in 2011, the 1896-O VAM-16 Morgan Dollar is cataloged as 16 (revised) III2 12 - C3b (Doubled 1 and Ear at Bottom, Near Date), die pair 181. The Morgan Dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams and 38.1 mm diameter. George T. Morgan's obverse features Liberty's profile adorned with a Phrygian cap and laurel wreath, while the reverse displays a heraldic eagle with outstretched wings. On the obverse (die III2 12), the numeral 1 of the date is doubled below the upper crossbar, and Liberty's ear is slightly doubled at its bottom — a combination that provides two distinct doubling diagnostics. The date is also set further left than normal for this die pair. An additional die marker is a curved thread-like die impression visible at the front of the eyelid. The near-date positioning combined with the doubled 1 and ear doubling makes this variety identifiable without extensive magnification by experienced attributors. The 1896-O Morgan Dollar had a mintage of 4,900,000, making it a moderately scarce date from the New Orleans Mint, and Leroy Van Allen's own discovery of this variety adds provenance significance.

External References