1890-O VAM-4B

Description

Discovered by Leroy Van Allen himself — co-creator of the VAM attribution system — in September 2004, VAM-4B of the 1890-O Morgan Dollar carries the complex classification III2 22 - C3i and documents multiple die phenomena: a doubled 0 in the date, an O/O mintmark (over mintmark where the O was punched over a previous O impression), a clashed obverse showing G and t impressions, and a rusted die condition on the reverse near NE. The C3i reverse classification describes raised dots around NE of ONE and D of DOLLAR and on the lower wreath — these raised dots being the hallmark signature of die rusting, where corrosion pits in the die surface transfer onto struck coins as small raised bumps. The combination of rusted die, clashed obverse, doubled date digit, and over mintmark on a single die pair creates an exceptionally complex variety with multiple independent attribution points. The presence of Leroy Van Allen as the discoverer adds historical weight to this entry, as Van Allen's systematic approach to Morgan Dollar die study (alongside A. George Mallis) created the entire VAM classification framework that now encompasses thousands of attributed varieties. The 1890-O was struck at the New Orleans Mint in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a mintage of 10,701,000. VAM-4B's multi-feature attribution provides collectors with a specimen that tells a rich production story: date doubling from the hubbing process, mintmark repunching during die preparation, die clashing from an unprotected die contact, and surface rusting from storage or environmental exposure. Cataloged by VAMWorld.

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