1899/99-S Morgan Silver Dollar. VAM-7. Top 100 Variety. Repunched Date. MS-67 (NGC).，This important coin traces its pedigree directly back to the San Francisco Mint through two of the most important numismatists in the history of the United States. It is little wonder then, that the coin has come down to us as virtually pristine. Indeed, we can see no evidence of this piece ever having been placed into a Mint-sealed bag with other coins; the overall appearance to both sides is one of near perfection. Most areas are silky smooth in sheen, and full, vibrant, satiny mint luster shines forth powerfully from all areas. Fully brilliant and overall sharp in strike, this coin comes highly recommended for inclusion in the finest Morgan Dollar set.<p>The 1899-S is a scarcer Morgan Dollar in an absolute sense. A mintage of 2.5 million pieces is limited by the standards of this type, and survivability of Mint State examples is not as great as it is for many other Morgan Dollar issues. This Superb Gem is exceptionally well preserved and is tied for Condition Census #1 among 1899-S Silver Dollars of all die marriages. Even more important, this coin is an example of the popular and eagerly sought VAM-7 RPD variety of the 1899-S Morgan. A loupe reveals remnants of a pair of 9s at the tops of and within the lower loops of the dominant 99 digits in the date. These underdigits are all that remain from an initial date that had been entered a bit higher than the final date. The Condition Census for this variety reported by Michael S. Fey and Jeff Oxman in the 1997 book The Top 100 Morgan Dollar Varieties: The VAM Keys reads: 65PL; 65; 65; 65; 64; 64. Obviously, the authors were not aware of the upcoming sale of the Eliasberg specimen when that book went to print, for this piece now ranks as the single-finest example of the 1899-S VAM-7 of which we are aware. Condition Census #1 for the variety.，PCGS# 133952. NGC ID: 256D.，Combined PCGS and NGC Population (VAM-7 designated): just 1; 0 finer. There are no 1899-S Morgan Dollars of any die marriage graded finer than MS-67 at either service.，Purchased directly from the San Francisco Mint in November 1899 by J.M. Clapp; John H. Clapp; Clapp estate (1942); Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr.; and from our sale of the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, April 1997, lot 2311.
