1921-D VAM-1AU1

Description

Discovered by Dennis Halladay in February 2024, this very recently attributed 1921-D Morgan Dollar is cataloged as VAM-1AU1 with die pair (?) and the designation Scribbling Scratches. The obverse displays die gouges in the hair vee area, accompanied by die cracks connecting the date digits — a progressive deterioration feature where fractures link the raised numerals across the die face. The reverse exhibits over-polished tail feathers, where aggressive die maintenance removed fine detail from the eagle’s plumage. Because 1921 dates were part of the master die rather than individually punched, there is no variation in date position across dies of this year, and DPIS measurements are therefore inapplicable. The 1921-D represents the final year of Morgan Dollar production at Denver before the design was retired in favor of the Peace Dollar, and the scribbling scratches designation places this variety among a large family of 1921 Morgan Dollar VAMs characterized by extensive die scratching. The February 2024 discovery date makes VAM-1AU1 one of the newest additions to the well-studied 1921-D Morgan Dollar catalog.

External References