I bought this 1889 Morgan from my LCD. I noticed that the 9 ln 1889 is higher than the other numerals. Is this a VAM or a counterfeit?
Just a guess, but I think this could be a VAM 8. 1889-P VAM-8 - VAMWorld (ec2-13-58-222-16.us-east-2.compute.amazonaws.com)
Possible VAM 32? 1889-P VAM-32 - VAMWorld (ec2-13-58-222-16.us-east-2.compute.amazonaws.com) Have a look through the list from VAMWorld 1889-P VAMs - VAMWorld (ec2-13-58-222-16.us-east-2.compute.amazonaws.com) Good luck!
Try 1889 o as this is an New Orleans Morgan http://ec2-13-58-222-16.us-east-2.compute.amazonaws.com/wiki/1889-O_VAM-2A Top 100 All Morgan's and Peace silver dollars have a vam number which is the die marriage this vam 2A
The curvature of the 1889 punch doesn't match that of the rim of a Morgan dollar, so it's fairly common for the 9 to appear higher than the other digits. As for this coin, which is an 1889-P, look at far dates with high 9 or far, slanted dates. Liberty's ear is often doubled on 1889, too, usually because of die fatigue.
I think your coin is from the New Orleans mint as the mint mark is faint but that’s what it looks like in the photo you posted.