1902-O VAM-5

Description

Among the earliest documented Morgan Dollar varieties, VAM-5 on the 1902-O was discovered by Melvin Carmichael in August 1951 — making it one of the foundational entries in what would eventually become the comprehensive Van Allen-George cataloging system. Designated III2 3 with reverse C4b and titled "Near Date, High O," this variety is rated I-2 for interest and R-3 for rarity, indicating a relatively available variety with an estimated population exceeding 500 confirmed examples — unusual accessibility for a named VAM that reflects the large original mintage of the 1902-O and the early discovery date that gave collectors over seven decades to identify and preserve specimens. The identification number 181 places this within the established VAMWorld sequence. The obverse III2 3 die features a date set further left than normal, creating the "Near Date" description — the numerals 1902 sit closer to Liberty's bust truncation than the standard date position, a placement difference most easily detected by measuring the gap between the leading digit 1 and the lowest point of the bust line or the nearest denticle. A closed 9 in the date provides a secondary obverse diagnostic. The reverse C4b classification identifies a mintmark set high and upright, distinguishing it from the tilted, shifted, or lower mintmark positions found on other 1902-O die pairings. The VAMWorld community note requests that collectors who believe they possess this variety post images on the message board and contact the specialist known as LateDateMorganGuy, reflecting the collaborative attribution approach that characterizes modern VAM research. Struck at the New Orleans Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams, the 1902-O is a common date in the Morgan Dollar series but remains actively collected in its various die pairings.

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