1901-O VAM-1B

Description

Documented from a 2010 discovery, this 1901 New Orleans Mint Morgan Dollar is classified as VAM-1B with the designation III2 1 - C3a, describing die scratches on the eagle's neck and denticle impressions above the arrow feathers. The reverse die, classified C3a, shows several long vertical die scratches at the neck and above the eagle's right shoulder, along with a single small denticle impression above the arrow feathers. The denticle impression is a particularly interesting diagnostic — it suggests that a loose denticle from another die or a fragment of collar material became embedded in the die surface, leaving its characteristic shape as a raised mark on struck coins. The B suffix on VAM-1 indicates this is a secondary die state or pairing documented for the VAM-1 obverse, with the letter suffix system tracking progressive changes in the die pair's condition. The 1901-O is one of the scarcer New Orleans Morgan Dollar dates, and die varieties from this mintage carry added appeal due to the lower survival population compared to common-date New Orleans issues. Die scratches on the eagle's neck are among the more distinctive reverse markers in the VAM catalog.

External References