1899-S VAM-5

Description

Originally discovered by Charles Wallace in February 1959 and revised in February 2006 by Michael Ash, the 1899-S VAM-5 Morgan Dollar is classified (revised) as 5 III21 - C3e, an S Tilted Far Right, Doubled Right Wreath variety from the San Francisco Mint. The 1899-S had a mintage of 2,562,000 pieces in 90% silver at 26.73 grams and 38.1 mm diameter. This variety has one of the longest attribution histories in the VAM registry, with its initial discovery in 1959 predating the formal Van Allen-Mallis system by over a decade, making it one of the earliest recognized Morgan Dollar die varieties. The reverse die (C3e) features a medium-size (Type IV) S mintmark tilted far to the right at normal height, combined with slightly doubled right wreath leaves spreading toward the rim. The tilted mintmark orientation indicates the punch was applied at an angle during die preparation at the San Francisco facility. Die pair 186 is assigned. VAMWorld notes document that this reverse die was shared with the 1899-S VAM-11, establishing a die linkage between the two varieties. Shared reverse dies are common in Morgan Dollar production, where obverse dies typically wore out faster than reverse dies and were replaced while the reverse remained in service. Collectors examining this variety should look for the rightward tilt of the S mintmark as the quickest identification feature.

External References