While looking thru my morgans and seeing if any matched up to a vam. I noted a "1896 O VAM 4 Designer's Initial M" and the picture shown appeared to be the normal m at the base of the neck. Can anyone shed a light on this?

Just spotted this one also. 1899 O VAM 32 Designer's Initial M. Is it outward instead of in?

In the book that I have, the VAM-4 of the 1896-O date is the micro O mintmark reverse. This is a very rare die variety and the book says that the ones found have akll been lower grade circulated coins. In the recent past, I seem to remember hearing that some dates of the micro O variety have been proven to be counterfeit, but I'm not sure which ones they are. Check out the link titled "The Vam Book Update" on this page, perhaps it can be of some help...link.

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The reference to 1896 O VAM 4 Designer's Initial M came from his site. But at least on that page does not refernce the reverse side "O" mint.

I spotted that article on the counterfiet coins. But mine does not have the depression by the mint mark or the lines by the wings. BTW the mint mark does match the look.

One other question what book do you have? I'm thinking about getting one myself.

I have the fourth edition of the Encyclopedia of Morgan and Peace Dollars by Leroy C. Van Allen and A. George Mallis

The book doesn't list a VAM-32 for 1899-O, so maybe the website would be the most up to date reference.

Looks like I'm going to have fun with this one. I ran thru my magnifying glasses up to a 50x to try to find those marks the mentioned. And everything looks smooth.

One side note I found a 1897 O vam 6a. But the crack is not developed. It does have the triangle crack in the exact same position.