1899-S VAM-3
Error
Description
Discovered by George Mallis in July 1964, the 1899-S VAM-3 holds special historical significance within the VAM cataloging system — Mallis is the co-creator of the VAM framework alongside Leroy Van Allen, and this variety represents one of his personal attributions. Classified as S/S Center, this San Francisco Mint Morgan Dollar is a repunched mint mark variety. The die pair is designated 3 III2 1 - C3c. The obverse (III2 1) shows open 9's in the date. The reverse (C3c) displays a wide large S mint mark tilted to the right and slightly doubled below the upper loop, where the original S punch position is visible beneath the final placement — a classic overmintmark created when the engraver struck the mint mark punch a second time in a slightly shifted position. Repunched mint marks provide tangible evidence of the hand-punching process at branch mints, where each working die received its mint mark individually from a letter punch and hammer. The visible doubling below the upper loop serves as the primary attribution diagnostic for this variety. San Francisco Mint, silver composition.
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