1883-O VAM-13

Description

Discovered by Guy Messing in May 1974, the 1883-O VAM-13 Morgan Dollar is classified as 13 III2 1 - C3j and features an O mintmark repunched right and down, with the original mintmark position visible at the top inside and lower right outside of the final placement. The Reverse C3j die is shared with VAM-34, raising the possibility that VAM-13 and VAM-34 may represent the same variety — a question that remains open among Morgan Dollar specialists. With a rarity rating of 181, this variety falls in the moderately scarce range for New Orleans Mint Morgan Dollars. The O/O repunched mintmark is the defining attribution feature, as hand-punched mintmarks from this era frequently required multiple impressions to achieve proper depth and position. Collectors should examine the mintmark area carefully to distinguish the underlying original O from the final strike, particularly at the top and lower right where remnants of the first punch are most prominent in this right-and-down displacement pattern.

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