1901-O VAM-4

Description

Discovered by Ted Eiben in June 1972, the 1901-O Morgan Dollar VAM-4 is designated "O Tilted Left" for the orientation of its New Orleans Mint mintmark on the reverse. Classified as 4 III2 1 - C4b, this variety documents a reverse die where the O mintmark was punched at a leftward angle — a positional variant characteristic of the hand-punching process used at all U.S. Mint facilities before 1990. The C4b reverse die classification indicates a specific reverse die class within the systematic framework that the VAM system applies to Morgan Dollar die marriages. Ted Eiben's 1972 discovery makes this one of the earlier VAM attributions in the series, documented during the foundational period when Leroy Van Allen and A. George Mallis were building the comprehensive catalog that would become the standard Morgan and Peace Dollar reference. The New Orleans Mint, which operated from 1838 to 1909, produced Morgan Dollars from 1879 to 1904, and the 1901-O is among the later dates from this historic Southern facility. Struck in 90% silver at 26.73 grams on 38.1mm planchets, bearing George T. Morgan's Liberty Head obverse and heraldic eagle reverse. Examine the O mintmark on the reverse beneath the eagle's tail feathers for the leftward tilt that distinguishes this die marriage from other 1901-O VAM varieties.

External References