1896-O VAM-29

Description

Discovered in 2013, the 1896-O VAM-29 Morgan Dollar is classified as III2 12 – C3c (Doubled 1 & Ear Bottom, Near Date, O Tilted Right) with die pairing number 181. The obverse (III2 12) presents the numeral 1 doubled below the upper crossbar and the ear slightly doubled at the bottom, with the date positioned further left than normal — creating the "Near Date" designation. An additional die marker consists of a curved thread-like die impression at the front of the eyelid, a distinctive feature useful for confirming this specific obverse die. The reverse (C3c) features a medium-sized O mintmark tilted slightly to the right, and community notes indicate this obverse is shared with the 1896-O VAM-16 and that the mintmark is set slightly right. The shared obverse between VAM-29 and VAM-16 means both varieties use the same obverse die paired with different reverse dies, creating two distinct die marriages that share obverse characteristics while differing in reverse mintmark position and other reverse features. The Morgan Dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint in 1896 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1896-O had a mintage of approximately 4.9 million pieces, a moderately low figure for the series. George T. Morgan's design was entering its nineteenth year. The combination of doubled 1 and ear bottom, near date positioning, and tilted-right O mintmark provides a three-component diagnostic system where collectors can approach attribution from either the obverse (doubled digits and ear, near date, eyelid thread impression) or the reverse (tilted O placement) to build confidence in the identification of this variety.

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