1898-S VAM-9

Description

Discovered by Leroy Van Allen himself in December 1981, the 1898-S VAM-9 Morgan Dollar carries the title "Near Date, Doubled 8, S Tilted Right" and is classified as III2 6 - C3d with a rarity rating of 187. The obverse shows the second 8 in the date doubled on top of its upper loop, combined with a date set further left than normal — the "Near Date" characteristic that places the date numerals closer to the rim than the standard position. The reverse, classified C3d, features two thick die gouges running through the wreath bow, providing bold and easily identifiable attribution markers on the eagle side of the coin. An important cataloging note identifies VAM-9 as a duplicate listing of VAM-8A, meaning these two entries ultimately describe the same die — a situation that arises periodically in the VAM catalog as independent researchers document what they believe to be new varieties that later prove identical to existing entries upon closer comparison. The 1898-S Morgan Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint with a mintage of 4,102,000 pieces in 90% silver at 26.73 grams and 38.1 mm diameter. The discovery by Leroy Van Allen — the "V" in the VAM system and co-founder of the entire Morgan Dollar variety classification methodology alongside A. George Mallis — adds historical provenance to this variety. The tilted-right S mintmark component of the designation indicates the San Francisco mintmark was applied to the reverse die at a slight clockwise rotation from its intended vertical orientation, adding a third diagnostic element alongside the near date and doubled 8 on the obverse.

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