1921-D VAM-1BJ2

Description

Also discovered by Rob Joyce in March 2005, the 1921-D VAM-1BJ2 shares the same reverse die as VAM-1BJ, designated D2a with diagonal die gouges below the first L in DOLLAR and between OL, but represents a distinct die state or die pairing that warranted separate catalog listing. Both varieties carry the IV 1 D2a (Die Gouges OL) classification with die pairing number 189, indicating they share the same reverse die but may differ in obverse die characteristics or die state progression. As with all 1921 Morgan Dollars, dates were incorporated into the master die rather than individually punched into working dies, eliminating date position as a variable for obverse attribution. The 1921-D Morgan Dollar holds the distinction of being the only Denver Mint issue in the entire Morgan Dollar series, as George T. Morgan's design was produced at Denver solely in its final year before being replaced by the Peace Dollar. Denver's approximately 20.3 million-coin production run was substantial, generating demand for many die pairs and creating opportunities for the variety of die gouges, cracks, and other progressive die failures documented across the 1921-D VAM catalog. The BJ and BJ2 designations illustrate the granularity of VAM research, where even minor die state differences between specimens struck from the same die pair receive individual attention.

External References