1892-O VAM-18

Description

Discovered by Michael Ash in March 2007, VAM-18 identifies a die variety on the 1892-O Morgan Dollar from the New Orleans Mint. Classified under plate designation 18 III2 14 C3a, the variety features Obverse III2 14 with the ear slightly doubled at the right inside, a subtle diagnostic visible under magnification. The reverse is designated C3a. Catalogers have noted this variety appears to be the same as the 1892-O VAM-21, a determination that arises when independently discovered varieties are found to share identical die characteristics. Such instances reflect the decentralized nature of variety discovery, where different researchers may independently identify the same die marriage. The New Orleans Mint operated as a significant branch facility throughout the Morgan Dollar era, producing coins with the distinctive O mintmark. The 1892-O sits in the later period of production when New Orleans output remained substantial. For collectors building an 1892-O VAM set, this variety and its apparent relationship to VAM-21 highlight the evolving nature of die variety research.

External References