1900-O VAM-21B

Description

Discovered by Laurence Galbraith in April 2007, VAM-21B on the 1900 New Orleans Morgan Dollar presents three distinct die characteristics: a near date position, a high-set O mintmark, and a clashed obverse showing a partial incuse n from the reverse. The clash feature is the most diagnostic — a faint incuse impression of the lowercase n from the word "In" of the reverse motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" appears next to Liberty's neck on the obverse. This transfer occurred when the obverse and reverse dies struck each other without an intervening planchet, imprinting reverse design elements into the obverse die. The location of the transferred n adjacent to Liberty's neck is a well-documented clash zone on Morgan Dollars, where proximity of the reverse motto to the obverse portrait facilitates transfer during die-on-die contact. Cataloged under die pair III2 5 with a C3l reverse, VAM-21B's combination of positional characteristics — near date and high O — alongside the clash evidence provides collectors with multiple diagnostic criteria. The 1900 New Orleans Morgan Dollar was produced during the final years of the New Orleans Mint's involvement with the denomination, which ceased after 1904.

External References