1893-O VAM-4
Error
Description
Discovered by Martin Field in September 1984, the 1893-O VAM-4 is cataloged as III2 3 - C3b with the title Doubled 1, O Tilted Right. The obverse die III2 3 shows the 1 in the date doubled below the upper crossbar, visible under low magnification on well-preserved examples. The reverse die C3b carries an O mintmark tilted to the right, a positional diagnostic assessable without high magnification even on circulated coins. A collector note accompanies this variety: researchers have concluded that 1893-O VAM-2 appears to be the exact same die pair as VAM-4 and VAM-4A, raising a duplication question within the catalog. The doubled 1 becomes very difficult to detect in grades below Choice Fine, which may explain the independent VAM-2 listing — attributors working with lesser-grade specimens unable to confirm date doubling may have recorded the die pairing separately. This grading-dependent visibility is a recurring challenge in Morgan Dollar VAM attribution. The 1893-O has numismatic significance in the series, struck during a pivotal year in American monetary history.
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