1897-S VAM-22

Description

Renumbered from VAM-16.2 in November 2024, this 1897-S Morgan Dollar variety now carries the VAM-22 designation with classification III2 11 - C3e and the description "S Set High." The renumbering reflects the ongoing maintenance of the VAM catalog, where discoveries are periodically reassigned to maintain systematic organization as the census grows. The obverse shows the date positioned at the left edge of normal lateral placement, with a very slightly doubled top edge of the right cotton boll — a subtle diagnostic that requires careful examination under magnification. Obverse die markers are particularly useful: several diagonal polishing lines appear below the inner ear fill and one at the top right outside of the inner ear fill, with these polishing artifacts indicating the die received surface maintenance during its production life. The reverse carries a C3e classification with the S mintmark set high, meaning the San Francisco mintmark was punched above its standard vertical position relative to the eagle's tail feathers. The Die Pair Identification System (DPIS) assigns this variety LH3/RE4 ratings, providing a standardized framework for collectors to gauge the relative position characteristics. George T. Morgan's design was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams and 38.1 mm diameter. The 1897-S had a mintage of 5,825,000, and the combination of a high-set S mintmark with the slightly doubled cotton boll creates a dual-feature attribution that rewards careful examination of both sides of the coin under magnification.

External References