1898-S VAM-10

Description

Attributed to Martin Field from December 1981, VAM-10 for the 1898 San Francisco Mint Morgan Dollar carries the plate designation 10 III2 7 - C3g (Near Slanted Date, S Tilted Far Right) (187). Two distinct characteristics define this variety: the obverse date position and the reverse mint mark orientation. The obverse die, classified III2 7, shows a near date with a slight slant, the 1 positioned closest to the rim — indicating the date digits were placed at a subtle angle with the leftmost digit set nearest the coin's border. On the reverse, the die classified C3g bears a medium S mint mark that is centered but tilted very far to the right, an orientation that distinguishes it from the numerous other S mint mark positions documented across the 1898-S VAM sequence. Mint mark tilt occurred because the letter punch was applied to the working die by hand, and the angle of the engraver's punch varied from one die to the next. Collectors attributing 1898-S Morgan Dollars should examine both the date alignment on the obverse and the mint mark tilt on the reverse, since the combination of near slanted date with the far-right-tilted S narrows identification to this specific VAM. =1898-S VAM-10 Near Slanted Date, S Tilted Far Right= Discovered by Martin Field, December 1981.

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