1899-S VAM-6

Description

Discovered by George Mallis in June 1965 — A. George Mallis being the co-creator (with Leroy Van Allen) of the VAM classification system itself — the 1899-S VAM-6 Morgan Dollar carries the classification 6 III2 2 – C3d (Doubled 99, Spiked S). The obverse (III2 2) features open 9s in the date with the first 9 doubled at the bottom right and the second 9 doubled inside the lower loop, creating a two-digit doubling pattern where both 9s show displacement but at different locations on their respective contours. The reverse (C3d) exhibits a wide large S mintmark tilted to the right with a wide spike at the top — the "Spiked S" designation referring to a prominent projection or extension at the top of the mintmark letter, likely caused by a defect in the mintmark punch itself or by damage to the die during the mintmark application process. The catalog notes that this reverse is shared with VAM-4, VAM-6, and VAM-17, and in fact it appears they may all represent the same die pair — a significant observation suggesting that what were cataloged as three separate varieties may actually be different die states or perspectives of a single die marriage, a determination that could affect how collectors approach attribution for these varieties. George T. Morgan's design was struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1899 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The discovery by Mallis himself in 1965 places this among the earliest documented VAM varieties, predating the formal VAM catalog's publication. The spiked S mintmark creates a visually distinctive diagnostic that is quickly checkable under low magnification, while the doubled 99 requires more careful examination of the date area under higher power.

External References