1899-O VAM-29

Description

Discovered by Jeff Oxman in January 1988, the 1899-O Morgan Dollar VAM-29 features the second 9 in the date doubled on the top inside of the upper loop — a precise die doubling diagnostic that requires magnified examination of the interior curve of the numeral. The obverse die (III2 17) pairs with reverse die C3a under catalog number 181, and the doubling visible within the upper loop of the 9 resulted from slight logotype punch movement during die preparation. Date doubling confined to the interior of a single digit represents one of the subtler forms of Morgan Dollar variety, as collectors must examine the curved inner surface of the 9's upper loop rather than the more commonly doubled outer edges. Jeff Oxman was a prominent Morgan Dollar researcher whose attributions contributed significantly to the expansion of the VAM catalog, and the 1899-O is a common New Orleans Mint date with a substantial mintage that provides ample searching opportunities. The specificity of the doubling location — top inside of the upper loop only — means that examining the 9 from different angles under magnification is essential for confident attribution of this variety.

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