1899-O VAM-24

Description

Discovered by Martin Field in September 1980, the 1899-O Morgan Dollar VAM-24 combines two distinct die characteristics: a doubled second 9 in the date and a high-positioned O mint mark on the reverse. The obverse die (III2 13) shows the second 9 doubled as a thin secondary line visible at the top of the digit, while the reverse die (C3e) places the New Orleans O mint mark in a higher-than-normal position below the eagle. Cataloged as variety number 181, the dual-feature nature of VAM-24 makes it particularly appealing to collectors who appreciate varieties with both obverse and reverse diagnostics. The date doubling on the second 9 resulted from slight logotype punch movement during die preparation, while the high O reflects the die sinker's individual placement of the mint mark during a separate step in the die-making process. Martin Field was one of the most prolific Morgan Dollar variety researchers of his era, and the 1899-O is a common New Orleans Mint date that provides accessible opportunities for collectors to search for this and other VAM varieties from the final year of 19th-century Morgan Dollar production.

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