1896-O VAM-31

Description

The 1896-O VAM-31 Morgan Dollar, discovered by Brian Haight in 2017, is designated as a Near Date, O Set High & Right variety under catalog number 31 III2 10 - C3i. This New Orleans Mint issue presents two distinct diagnostic features across its obverse and reverse. On the obverse, the date is set further left than normal — the "Near Date" designation indicating the numerals are positioned closer to the rim than the standard die alignment for this year. Obverse die markers include polishing lines visible in the TY of LIBERTY, evidence of die maintenance work performed during the die's service life. The reverse carries a Type III O mintmark set high and slightly to the right of its standard position, a placement variation resulting from the hand-punching of mintmarks into working dies during this era. Additional reverse die markers include die polishing lines in the eagle's wing-neck gap, providing a secondary confirmation point for attribution. The Morgan Dollar specification calls for 26.73 grams of 90% silver (0.7734 troy ounces of pure silver) at 38.1 mm diameter, with a reeded edge. The 1896-O is considered a better-date issue within the Morgan series, with a relatively modest mintage compared to Philadelphia production that year. As a relatively recent discovery from 2017, this VAM may still be underrepresented in population reports, offering potential for cherry-picking by knowledgeable collectors who can identify the near-date position and high-right mintmark placement.

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