1897-O VAM-19

Description

Discovered in April 2023 by Ed Pope, the 1897-O VAM-19 is classified as III2 12, C3l and features a doubled ear with an O mint mark tilted slightly to the right. The obverse date sits at the left side of normal lateral position, and the right inside of Liberty's ear and bottom of the earlobe show slight doubling, possibly from die fatigue in later die states. A die crack develops from the bottom of the 8 across the 9 into the rim on later examples, serving as a useful die state marker. Obverse die markers include polishing lines in the lower hair, LIBERTY, and cap ribbon. On the reverse, the O mint mark is centered, almost high, and tilted slightly to the right, with polishing visible in the wreath bow and wing-neck gap along with diagonal lines across the middle tail feather. The die pair identification sequence is rated LH3/RE4. New Orleans Morgan Dollars from 1897 saw moderate production, and the O-mint varieties from this date continue to expand with recent discoveries like this 2023 addition to the VAM catalog.

External References