1898-O VAM-13

Description

Discovered by Guy Messing in July 1976, the 1898-O VAM-13 Morgan Dollar carries the classification III2 8 - C3b (Very Near Date, O Set High, Tripled 8) with die pairing number 181. The obverse (III2 8) presents the date set much further left than its normal position — the "Very Near Date" designation indicating the date sits unusually close to Liberty's portrait. The second 8 in 1898 is tripled slightly at the top right inside of the lower loop, a feature created by three successive hub impressions that left overlapping images at this specific digit location. The reverse (C3b) features a medium-sized O mintmark set high and upright within the wreath — a hand-punched position variant where the mintmark sits above the standard vertical position, distinguishing this working die from others in the 1898-O family. Community commentary provides important context: this die pair can be found with one, two, or three clashes, with the letter transfer believed to have occurred during the second clash event — a sequential analysis that documents the progressive accumulation of clash marks across the die pair's service life. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and struck at the New Orleans Mint in 1898 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1898-O had a mintage of approximately 4.4 million pieces. The three-component diagnostic of very near date, high-set O mintmark, and tripled 8 provides multiple independent verification points for attribution, and the clash progression documentation adds die-state collecting opportunities within this single variety for collectors seeking to reconstruct its production timeline.

External References