1921-P VAM-1AQ2

Description

Discovered in 2013, the 1921-P VAM-1AQ2 is a scribbling die scratches variety classified as IV1 on the obverse paired with reverse D1a. The 1921 Philadelphia Morgan Dollar is notable for having been struck from master dies in which the date was incorporated as part of the master, rather than punched separately into each working die — a distinction that affects how date-related die characteristics are interpreted. The D1a reverse in this variety's later die state shows a vertical die gouge on the right side of the F in OF and a narrow die gouge at the tip of the eagle's right wing extending to the denticle. Polishing lines appear to the right of the D in UNITED, very faint, and a new polishing line was added below OF. Importantly, the feed finger gouge above the eagle's left wing on VAM-1AQ2 does not carry additional die scratches on it — a feature that distinguishes it from the closely related VAM-1AQ3, where additional die scratches are present on that gouge. The 1921 Morgan Dollar, last of its original design run before the Peace Dollar replaced it, was struck in massive quantities at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco; die variety study for 1921-P is extensive.

External References