1897-O VAM-3A

Description

Discovered in 2017, the 1897-O VAM-3A Morgan Dollar is classified as 3A III2 1 - C3c, an O Set High with Die Break A variety from the New Orleans Mint. The 1897-O had a mintage of 4,004,000 pieces in 90% silver at 26.73 grams and 38.1 mm diameter, making it a moderately scarce date in the Morgan Dollar series that typically appears in lower mint state grades due to the extensive bag storage and commerce distribution that characterized New Orleans issues. George T. Morgan's designs of the Liberty profile and heraldic eagle define the series. The obverse die (III2 1) positions the date at the left edge of the normal range. The reverse die (C3c) shows the defining feature: a die crack running from the eagle's left wing continuing over through the letters AMERIC, with a connecting crack branching above the letter A extending to the rim. At the junction where these cracks meet, a displaced field triangle break has formed — a three-sided area of raised displaced metal created when die cracks intersect and the trapped section of die surface begins to separate. This triangle break represents an advanced stage of die failure and is the most dramatic diagnostic on the reverse. Die markers include die polishing lines in the wing-neck junction area on the reverse. Die pair 181 is assigned. The High O mintmark designation indicates the O is placed higher than the standard position, a variation in the hand-punching that occurred during die preparation at New Orleans.

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