1921-P VAM-1E2

Description

Discovered by David Close, VAM-1E2 on the 1921 Peace Dollar documents a dramatic die gouge caused by feed finger malfunction — a heavy vertical gouge running through ME in AMERICA and extending to the left U of UNUM on the reverse. Feed fingers are mechanical components that advance planchets into the striking chamber, and when they malfunction or contact the die surface, they carve deep gouges into the hardened steel that transfer as raised ridges on every subsequent coin. The 1921 Peace Dollar holds a unique position as the only year struck in high relief, with Anthony de Francisci's Liberty portrait rendered in bold sculptural depth. Production difficulties with the high-relief design contributed to extensive die deterioration, and the feed finger damage compounded those challenges. The "1E2" designation within the VAM-1 die pair sequence tracks this specific die state. The vertical orientation of the gouge through ME down to U creates a distinctive linear mark spanning multiple design elements, making this variety readily identifiable even on moderately worn specimens where other markers might be obscured.

External References