1903-O VAM-5

Description

Originally discovered by Martin Field in October 1978, VAM-5 on the 1903-O Morgan Dollar is designated III2 3 with reverse die C4a and carries the description "Doubled 3." The obverse features a closed 9 in the date and a distinctly doubled digit 3 at the top, where the repunching left a thin line visible above the upper curve of the final date digit — evidence that the date logotype was impressed into the die at least twice with a slight vertical offset between impressions. This repunched date feature, concentrated at the top of the 3, creates a subtle doubling effect best observed under 5x to 10x magnification by tilting the coin so that raking light catches the secondary impression sitting just above the primary strike line of the 3's upper curve. The closed 9 provides an additional obverse diagnostic: the loop of the 9 is fully enclosed rather than displaying the open tail seen on some other 1903-O obverse dies, offering a quick visual filter for initial VAM identification. Reverse die C4a is classified as a normal die reverse without distinctive features, meaning attribution rests primarily on the obverse diagnostics. A critical cross-reference note establishes that this obverse die was also used with VAM-4 and VAM-4A, confirming the die was paired with at least three different reverse dies during its service life — a common practice at the New Orleans Mint where obverse and reverse dies were routinely separated and recombined as individual dies wore out or were rotated through production runs. The identification number 189 places this within the established VAMWorld registry. Struck in 90% silver at the New Orleans Mint, the 1903-O Morgan Dollar is widely collected in all its die pairings.

External References