1904-O VAM-1B3

Description

Discovered in 2007, the 1904-O VAM-1B3 Morgan Dollar is classified as 1B3 III21 · C4a (Pitting in OL and Bottom Eagle's Left Wing, Counter Clash Lip) with die pairing number 189. This variety documents an unusual combination of die deterioration and counter-clash features across both faces. The obverse (III21) shows a counter clash with a doubled lower lip — a counter clash being an impression transferred from a previously clashed die through an intermediary planchet, creating a secondary lip impression that differs from direct die clashes in its formation mechanism. The reverse (C4a) exhibits a polished die surface where the counter clash leaf was removed, a die gouge next to the wing, and most of the die pitting at OL (in DOLLAR) and below the eagle's left wing has been reduced by the polishing. A vertical die scratch runs through the A in STATES, providing an additional diagnostic marker. The reverse pitting — raised dots on struck coins caused by corrosion pits in the die steel — concentrates near OL and the wing area, suggesting localized moisture exposure affected these specific zones of the reverse die face. The die polishing that removed the counter clash leaf but left residual pitting documents a selective die maintenance procedure where the engraver targeted the most objectionable anomalies while leaving less visible surface texture in place. The Morgan Dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint in 1904, the final year of original Morgan Dollar production, composed of 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. George T. Morgan's design was in its twenty-seventh year. The 1904-O had a mintage of approximately 3.7 million pieces. The interplay between counter clash features, subsequent polishing, and residual pitting creates a variety whose diagnostics tell a story of multiple die events and maintenance interventions during production.

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