1891-O VAM-2

Description

Discovered by George Mallis in June 1965, the 1891-O Morgan Dollar VAM-2 is distinguished by an open 9 in the date — where the upper and lower loops of the numeral 9 do not fully close, leaving a visible gap. The obverse die (III2 2) displays this open 9 form paired with reverse die C3a, which features a medium O mint mark that is centered and upright below the eagle, cataloged as variety number 181. Date digit variations like open versus closed numerals result from differences in the punches used to create working dies, and the open 9 form is one of the diagnostic features that helps identify specific dies or punch families. George Mallis, the co-creator of the VAM classification system with Leroy Van Allen, discovered this variety in the formative years of systematic Morgan Dollar variety study. The 1891-O was struck at the New Orleans Mint in the later years of the original Morgan Dollar production run, and VAM-2's clear open 9 diagnostic combined with the centered and upright medium O provides a straightforward variety for collectors to identify through careful examination of the date and mint mark.

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