1901-O VAM-30

Description

Discovered by Martin Field in August 1982, the 1901-O Morgan Dollar VAM-30 is distinguished by its O mint mark set slightly to the right of the standard position on the reverse. The upright type III mint mark on die C3d shows the subtle rightward displacement that characterizes this variety, cataloged under die pair III2 1/C3d with variety number 181. Mint mark position varieties in the Morgan Dollar series reflect the hand-punched application process used throughout the series' production from 1878 to 1904 and again in 1921, where each working die received its mint mark individually — inevitably introducing slight variations in placement, orientation, and depth. The 1901 New Orleans Morgan Dollar is a common date in the series, making VAM-30 an accessible entry point for collectors interested in mint mark position varieties without requiring significant investment in the base coin. Examining the O mint mark's horizontal position relative to the eagle's tail feathers provides the quickest diagnostic for identifying this variety.

External References