1900-P VAM-9

Description

Discovered by Ted Eiben in June 1972, the 1900-P VAM-9 Morgan Dollar is designated "Near Date, Doubled 1-0" and classified as III2 8 - C3a with a rarity rating of 187. The obverse exhibits doubling on two of the four date digits: the 1 is doubled at the bottom of its upper crossbar, and the first 0 is doubled on its top — selective doubling that affects only specific numerals while leaving the other date digits (the 9 and the second 0) without visible secondary impressions. Additionally, the date is set further left than normal, earning the "Near Date" part of the designation, and the 9 in the date is described as an "open 9" — meaning the loop of the numeral does not fully close, a logotype characteristic that distinguishes this obverse die from others using a "closed 9" punch. The Die Pair Identification System rating of B23C provides a standardized shorthand for this die marriage. A significant cataloging note reveals that the exact same reverse die was used to produce both 1900-P VAM-9 and 1900-P VAM-22, meaning these two varieties share identical reverses but were struck with different obverse dies — a die marriage relationship that helps reconstruct the Philadelphia Mint's die usage patterns for this date. The 1900-P Morgan Dollar was struck at the Philadelphia Mint with a mintage of 8,830,912 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams and 38.1 mm diameter. George T. Morgan's designs frame this date-position-doubling variety within the most extensively cataloged silver dollar series in American numismatics.

External References