1901-O VAM-38

Description

Discovered by John Baumgart in October 2003 and classified 38 III26 C4/C3p, the 1901-O Morgan Dollar VAM-38 is titled "Slanted Date, 2 Olive Reverse." The obverse presents the date with a distinct slant, serving as an initial screening diagnostic. The reverse (C4/C3p) is the principal distinguishing element: an extra olive appears to the right of the olive connected to the main branch, creating a two-olive configuration not present on normal reverse dies. Hub doubling accompanies the 2 Olive reverse at several locations: the lower base of the left and lower olive leaf clusters, the top of the middle arrow shaft, the back of the lower arrowhead, the top feathers of the eagle's left wing, and the right side of the eagle's nostril and eye. The O mintmark on this die is centered with a slight tilt to the right. The 1901-O Morgan Dollar is a key date in the New Orleans Mint series, struck in more modest quantities than the production peaks of the 1880s. The extra olive is a permanent die characteristic appearing consistently across all examples from this marriage, providing a reliable primary identification anchor for collectors. Magnification of 5x confirms the 2 Olive reverse.

External References