1898-O VAM-11

Description

Discovered by Leroy Van Allen in May 1974, this New Orleans Mint 1898 Morgan Dollar is cataloged as VAM-11 with die pair III2 6 and reverse C3d, featuring a near date, doubled 898, and an O mintmark set high and tilted very far right. The obverse carries a near date with the 89 doubled slightly at the top and bottom outside of their lower loops. The second 8 shows additional doubling on the right inside of the upper loop and at the top inside and bottom right outside of the lower loop. The reverse is distinguished by the medium O mintmark at an unusually high position and tilted very far to the right — even higher than the mintmark on VAM-10, which itself is already notably elevated. The extreme rightward tilt is the most immediately visible diagnostic, as mintmarks this dramatically angled are uncommon among New Orleans Morgan Dollars. The C3d reverse classification identifies this specific reverse die as paired with this marriage. New Orleans Morgan Dollars from the late 1890s are well-represented in surviving populations, and tilted mintmark varieties provide accessible entry points for VAM collecting.

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