1899-O VAM-7B

Description

Combining a high-positioned O mintmark with die chips on the digit 8, this sub-variety B of VAM-7 for the 1899 New Orleans Morgan Dollar presents dual diagnostic features that make attribution straightforward under magnification. Classified as VAM-7B III 2 1 C3e with the designation "High O, Die Chips 8," the variety was discovered in 2010. The obverse die exhibits extensive deterioration: die cracks run through the date and continue over Liberty's neck point, with another crack extending to the denticles below the neck point. Small die chips appear at the lower left outside of the digit 8, providing a secondary diagnostic beyond the mintmark position. The high O mintmark on the reverse places the New Orleans mintmark above its typical centered position, a variation resulting from the mintmark punch being applied slightly higher on the die than intended. Extensive obverse die cracking through the date and across the portrait area indicates this die had seen considerable service, suggesting VAM-7B coins were struck during a later die state when accumulated stress had propagated cracks across multiple zones of the obverse die face.

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