1901-S VAM-11

Description

Discovered by John Coxe in June 2006, the 1901-S VAM-11 Morgan Dollar carries the classification III2 4 · C3a (Slanted Date) with die pairing number 189. The obverse (III2 4) exhibits a date slanted in its normal lateral position, with the right 1 positioned higher than the left 1 — a measurable tilt in the date punch that deviates from the expected horizontal alignment. The slant features a closed 9 with no doubling on any of the digits, meaning the date was cleanly punched without secondary impressions but at an angular offset from level. Community commentary provides an important caveat: the images shown are from the discovery coin, which is a prooflike specimen, and many of the visible markers are polishing lines that may or may not exist on non-prooflike examples. This distinction between die-originated features (which appear on all specimens) and surface-condition artifacts (which are specific to prooflike strikes) is critical for accurate attribution of VAM-11 on coins of varying surface quality. The reverse (C3a) is classified as a normal die. The Morgan Dollar was designed by George T. Morgan and struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1901 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1901-S is a relatively common date in the Morgan series with a mintage of approximately 2.3 million pieces, though well-attributed variety specimens with clear date tilt characteristics command attention from specialized collectors. The slanted date feature is best evaluated by comparing the vertical positions of both 1s relative to the denticles along the lower rim, where even small angular deviations become measurable against the regular denticle spacing.

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