1900-S VAM-33

Description

Discovered in March 2023 by Brent Fogelberg, the 1900-S VAM-33 "Low Slanted Date, S/S" Morgan dollar represents one of the most recent additions to the VAM catalog for this San Francisco date. Cataloged as 33 III2 11 · C3e (Low Slanted Date, S/S) with a question mark indicating the classification may be provisional, this variety documents two obverse diagnostics — a low-positioned date that slants — and a repunched S mintmark (S over S) on the reverse. George T. Morgan's silver dollar was struck at San Francisco in 1900 with a mintage of approximately 3.54 million coins, a moderate output for the series. The Die Pair Identification System (DPIS) entry LH3/RE4 assigns specific identification codes that allow researchers to track individual obverse and reverse dies across their service life, and the emission sequence data reveals a rich die-sharing history: the obverse die was used with VAM-33, VAM-32, VAM-24, and VAM-24A, while the reverse die served with VAM-7, VAM-17, and VAM-33. The comments note an earlier use of the VAM-32/24 obverse, establishing a chronological sequence for this die's service pairings. The S/S repunched mintmark provides an independent reverse diagnostic that complements the obverse date characteristics, as the original S impression sits beneath the final accepted position, creating a doubled S visible under magnification. Brent Fogelberg's March 2023 discovery demonstrates the continued expansion of the VAM system even for dates that have received decades of study. The low slanted date indicates the numerals were punched into the die at a position below and at an angle to the standard date placement, distinguishing this die from the majority of 1900-S obverse dies. Collectors should examine both the date orientation on the obverse and the S mintmark on the reverse to confirm the dual diagnostics.

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