1901-O VAM-24

Description

Discovered by Martin Field in January 1980, the 1901-O VAM-24 combines two positional varieties: a low date set close to the rim on a Type III2 (listed as II2) die 8 obverse, and a high-set medium O mint mark on a C3c reverse. The dual positional characteristics — date pushed low, mint mark pushed high — create a distinctive visual profile that is identifiable without high magnification, as the date's proximity to the rim and the mint mark's elevated position both depart noticeably from standard placement. The low date position results from the date punches being driven deeper into the die relative to the rim than normal, while the high O reflects the mint mark punch being placed above its standard position on the reverse die. The C3c reverse classification with its specific mint mark placement distinguishes this die from the C3a and C3b reverses used on other 1901-O die pairings. The 1901-O Morgan Dollar was produced at the New Orleans Mint with a mintage of over 13 million — a relatively common date — but positional varieties like the combined low date and high mint mark represent specific die preparation decisions documented by the VAM cataloging system. Martin Field's 1980 discovery contributed to the growing body of New Orleans Mint die variety research during the post-publication expansion of the VAM reference.

External References