1896-O VAM-17

Description

Discovered by Martin Field in August 1981, the 1896-O VAM-17 Morgan Dollar is designated as a Near Date, O Tilted Right variety, cataloged as 17 III2 10 - C3c. The obverse features a date set further left than normal — the "Near Date" classification indicating the date numerals occupy a position closer to the rim than standard die alignment — while the reverse carries a mintmark tilted slightly right from its normal vertical orientation. Mintmark tilt variations occurred during the era when O mintmarks were individually hand-punched into each working die using a separate letter punch, and any rotational misalignment of the punch during application created a tilted impression. VAM research notes indicate the mintmark is noticeably closer to the left bow ribbon than the right on this variety, providing an additional positional diagnostic beyond the tilt angle itself. The Type III C3c reverse classification places this within a defined mintmark positioning category in the VAM system. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan, struck at the New Orleans Mint in 90% silver composition, weighing 26.73 grams at 38.1 mm diameter with a reeded edge. The 1896-O is considered a semi-key date in the Morgan Dollar series, with a mintage of approximately 4.9 million pieces — substantially lower than Philadelphia production that year. In higher grades (MS-63 and above), the 1896-O becomes genuinely scarce, making any identifiable VAM variety on this date of heightened collector interest. For attribution, begin by assessing the date position relative to the denticles to confirm the "near" placement, then examine the O mintmark under magnification to verify the rightward tilt and its proximity to the left bow ribbon.

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