1903-S VAM-4

Description

Discovered by Leroy Van Allen in January 1979, this San Francisco Morgan dollar is cataloged as VAM-4 under classification III2 1 with a combined C4/C3a reverse, titled 2 Olive Reverse, with a rarity rating of 189. The distinguishing reverse feature is a faint secondary olive to the right of the olive on the branch. The reverse also shows doubling at the base of the left olive leaf cluster, top of the upper leaf in the lower cluster, olive branch top at right of the olives, tops of the arrow feathers, top feathers of the eagle's left wing, the eagle's nostril, and the back of the lower arrowhead. A centered mintmark with a left tilt completes the reverse. The date is in normal position, and the LVA plate photo shows a small dot on the center upper tail feather. The 1903-S is a relatively scarce date, and Van Allen's discovery of this variety, as co-creator of the VAM classification system, lends it historical significance within Morgan dollar numismatics.

External References