1922-D VAM-10

Description

Discovered by David Close, VAM-10 for the 1922-D Peace Dollar carries the descriptive classification "Doubled Tiara Rays" — a doubled die variety affecting the crown of light rays radiating from Liberty's tiara on the obverse. Classified as 10 II 4 B2a with an interest level of I-4 and a rarity rating of R-5 (estimated 1-30 known specimens), this variety's high interest level reflects the dramatic and visually accessible nature of doubled tiara rays. The obverse die designation B2a describes the doubling in detail: all rays of light in the tiara are doubled on their left side, with GOD WE letters also doubled on the left side, and the designer's initials slightly doubled on the left side — a consistent leftward doubling pattern indicating the hub shifted to the right between successive impressions during die sinking. The 1922-D was the inaugural Denver Mint Peace Dollar, struck with a mintage of approximately 15.1 million — the highest Denver output for the date and a record that would stand for the decade. Anthony de Francisci's obverse design features Liberty wearing a radiate crown whose individual rays provide exquisitely sensitive indicators of hub doubling: the thin, separated ray lines show displaced secondary impressions with particular clarity against the field. The VAM system's I-4 interest rating places this among the most desirable Peace Dollar varieties — a top-tier designation reserved for varieties that combine visual drama with confirmed die variety status. The consistent leftward displacement across rays, letters, and initials provides multiple attribution points, making VAM-10 relatively straightforward to confirm once a candidate specimen is identified.

External References