1902-O VAM-3
Error
Description
1902-O VAM-3 (''Privately made'') Micro O Mint Mark Discovered by Francis Klaes, June 1963. Known to exist since prior to 1945. This coin is a Top 100 Morgan VAM. '''3'(Privately made)'' '''III2 · C3a (Small Micro O Tilted Far Right) (181)''' '''Obverse III21–''' Date at left side of normal lateral position. Broad raised dot at lower inside of ear. Fine scattered raised dots all over obverse, typical of cast die. ''Die markers–'' Raised diagonal line between UR. Small dot in front of neck one-quarter of way down from jaw-neck junction. The obverse die copied has been shown to be the VAM 43. '''Reverse C3a–''' Small micro I O mint mark set slightly high and centered with tilt far to right. Rounded design where it meets field. Three dies copied from 1899 O VAM 6 coin reverse with same characteristics as described for 1896 O VAM 4 micro O, and same three dies used. Only C3 design type die used for 1902 P, O and S which makes it suspect as counterfeiter’s mistake. '''Comments:''' '''1.''' The 1902-O VAM-3 is one of four micro o counterfeit coins that have a VAM number. '''2.''' The other three are 1896-O VAM-4, 1900-O VAM-5, 1901-O VAM-42. The 1896, 1900 and 1902 was counterfeited with the same reverse die. Read the [[http://www.pcgs.com/News/Pcgs-Announces-Contemporary-Counterfeit-Status-Of-1896-o-1900-o PCGS announcement that they no longer slab these micro Os as they believe they are counterfeit.