1900-O VAM-1

Description

George Mallis, co-creator of the Van Allen-Mallis cataloging system alongside Leroy Van Allen, first identified this variety in June 1965, making the 1900-O VAM-1 one of the earliest documented VAM varieties in Morgan Dollar numismatics. Classified as a "Closed 9" variety, the obverse features a normal die of III2 type with the closed loop on the 9 in the date, where the tail connects back to the body rather than remaining open. Plate designation 1 III2 1 - C3a pairs this obverse with a normal C3 reverse die featuring a medium O mint mark from New Orleans, centered and upright below the wreath. As VAM-1 for the date, this variety represents the baseline die pair against which other 1900-O varieties are compared. New Orleans produced over twelve million Morgan Dollars in 1900, among the final years of the facility's operation before its closure in 1909. The closed 9 feature reflects a specific hub state used during die preparation, distinguishing it from open-9 variants on other 1900 dies. The III O reverse classification indicates a medium-sized O without notable tilting or displacement. =1900-O VAM-1 Closed 9= Discovered by George Mallis, June 1965.

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