1902-O VAM-16

Description

Discovered by Jim Baxter in January 1979, 1902-O VAM-16 is attributed Near Date, Doubled Ear, 2 Olive Reverse, carrying the designation 16 III2 9 C4/C3c in the VAM reference (page 181). The obverse, III2 9, is a near date die with slight doubling on the ear. The reverse, C4/C3c, displays an extra olive over the first olive on the olive branch — the defining 2 Olive Reverse feature — with the O mintmark. Rarity is rated R-5, estimated 31–100 known. The 1902-O Morgan Dollar was struck at the New Orleans Mint in 90% silver. The 2 Olive Reverse is a recognized variant across multiple New Orleans Morgan dates, and VAM-16 pairs it with the near date obverse and doubled ear for a three-feature attribution across both sides. The extra olive is the most visually accessible reverse diagnostic, while the slight ear doubling adds obverse confirmation. Jim Baxter's January 1979 discovery places this among the earliest-documented New Orleans Morgan Dollar VAMs. R-5 rarity confirms the limited surviving population.

External References