1896-O VAM-24

Description

VAM-24 of the 1896 New Orleans Morgan Dollar is classified as a Low Near Date variety, cataloged under the designation 24 III2 15 - C3a (181), and discovered in 2010. The obverse die (III2 15) positions the date set low and further left than the standard placement, creating a distinctive date position that distinguishes this die from other 1896-O obverse dies. A key attribution shortcut noted by researchers: if uncertainty exists between this VAM and similar candidates, the presence of two hard gouges in the hair above the digits 96 definitively confirms VAM-24. These die gouges were likely caused by foreign material striking the die face or by accidental contact during die handling, and they appear as small raised bumps on the struck coin in the hair detail above the right portion of the date. The 1896 New Orleans Mint Morgan Dollar had a mintage of 4,900,000 pieces in 90% silver at 26.73 grams, making it a moderately available date in the series. George T. Morgan's obverse Liberty head design features the date along the lower rim, and the "low near" positioning means the date digits sit closer to the denticles than on a normal-date die, while also shifting slightly leftward. This date position anomaly resulted from the physical placement of the date logotype punch when it was impressed into the working die at the Philadelphia Mint's die shop — all dies for branch mints were prepared in Philadelphia during this era. The C3a reverse die designation and DPIS (Die Pairing Identification System) data assist in tracking this die's full emission sequence through its working life.

External References