1904-O VAM-20

Description

Originally discovered by Martin Field in October 1980, VAM-20 was subsequently de-listed in October 2011 after being determined to be the same die marriage as VAM-30B. Leroy Van Allen elected to retain the VAM-30B designation and delist VAM-20 rather than the reverse, a decision that illustrates the ongoing refinement process within the VAM classification system as researchers cross-reference die marriages and eliminate duplicates. The variety is classified as III2 1 - C4h, with the reverse showing a High O mintmark tilted to the left — the O mint mark set high and slightly left with a distinctive leftward slant. The 1904 New Orleans Morgan Dollar comes from the penultimate year of production at that historic facility, which closed its doors to coinage in 1909. New Orleans struck approximately 3.72 million Morgan Dollars in 1904, making it a moderately scarce date that commands collector attention in higher grades. The mint mark positioning varieties documented through the VAM system for New Orleans issues are particularly significant because the O mintmark was applied by hand, and variations in placement, orientation, and size reflect the individual judgment of the die shop engraver. Though de-listed, VAM-20 remains documented for historical completeness and cross-referencing purposes.

External References