1900-P VAM-6

Description

Discovered by Guy Messing in June 1975, VAM-6 on the 1900 Philadelphia Mint Morgan Dollar is classified as a "Near Date Set Low" — the date sits further left and closer to the rim than normal, with the 1 positioned nearer to the denticles. Additionally, the date is noted as slightly slanted, adding a secondary positional anomaly to the leftward-and-low characteristic. Plated as 6 III2 5 - C3a on page 189, the variety occupies die pair 5 within Obverse Die Class III2, mated with Reverse C3a. Date position varieties on Morgan Dollars reflect hand-placement of date logotypes during die sinking, where each working die received its date individually, inevitably producing subtle variations in horizontal position, vertical height, and angle. Philadelphia struck 8.83 million Morgan Dollars in 1900, placing it in the moderate-mintage range where the date is readily available in circulated grades but carries premiums at the uncirculated level. The combination of leftward shift, low positioning, and slight slant makes VAM-6 a multi-characteristic date variety that rewards careful comparison against standard-date specimens.

External References