1890-O VAM-2E

Description

Discovered in October 2014 by John Coxe, the 1890-O VAM-2E "High O, Beveled Cap Top" Morgan dollar documents a distinctive die preparation artifact on this New Orleans issue — a beveled field at the top edge of Liberty's Phrygian cap. Cataloged as III2 1 · C3b (High O, Beveled Cap Top) with die pair number 181, the obverse III2 1 die shows a beveled or angled transition at the cap's apex where the design meets the surrounding field, likely resulting from aggressive die polishing or finishing that removed metal along the cap's upper edge. George T. Morgan sculpted Liberty wearing the Phrygian cap — a classical symbol of freedom — with detailed fabric folds and texture, and any alteration to the cap's profile through die preparation creates a visible anomaly compared to normally finished dies. The "High O" component refers to the reverse mintmark position: the O mintmark sits higher than the standard placement below the eagle's tail feathers, a variation in the hand-punching process that placed the mintmark at a position closer to the wreath above. New Orleans struck approximately 10.7 million Morgan dollars in 1890, a moderate mintage that reflects the facility's steady but not prolific output during this period. John Coxe's October 2014 discovery extended the already substantial VAM-2 sub-variety family for the 1890-O date, with the E suffix indicating at least five documented sub-varieties branching from this die marriage. Collectors should examine the top edge of Liberty's Phrygian cap under 10-15x magnification for the beveled transition — an area where the design field meets the cap apex at an unusually angled or flattened contour — then verify the elevated O mintmark position on the reverse.

External References