1904-O VAM-10A

Description

Discovered in June 2005, the 1904-O VAM-10A is a Morgan dollar variety struck at the New Orleans Mint, classified as 10A III2 1 - C4e and designated O/O, Die Break Top First S. The Morgan dollar was struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, weighing 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter and a reeded edge. The New Orleans Mint produced 3,720,000 Morgan dollars in 1904, the final year of original Morgan dollar production at this facility before the series was suspended until its brief 1921 revival, when New Orleans was no longer operating. The O/O designation indicates the O mintmark was punched into the die twice, with evidence of the initial impression visible alongside the final position. The reverse die, classified as C4e, carries a die crack at the top of STATES with a small die chip above the first S and a tiny die chip at the right top of the first T. These die break features developed as the reverse die experienced stress fractures during its service life, with the chips above the S and at the T representing small fragments of die steel that broke away from the surface. An important cataloging note records that some specimens can be found with only the die break at the T, and these are still considered VAM-10A, indicating the die chip above the first S may have developed later in the die's service life and is not present on all specimens. A second note states these can be found in GSA Soft Packs, referring to the General Services Administration's dispersal of Treasury-stored Morgan dollars in the 1970s, which released millions of uncirculated silver dollars to collectors and dealers. The potential GSA provenance adds a collecting dimension to this variety, as GSA-holder specimens carry both numismatic and historical value.

External References