1922-D VAM-1AO

Description

Discovered in February 2025 by Gregory Klemkosky, the 1922-D VAM-1AO "Die Break Left of 1" Peace dollar represents one of the most recent additions to the ever-expanding VAM catalog for this Denver date. Cataloged as 1AO II 1 · B1a (Die Break Left of 1) with a question mark indicating provisional classification status, this variety features a retained die break positioned to the left of the numeral 1 in the date, with an intersecting crack that extends leftward through the bottom of the letter I in IN and continues into the rim. Denver struck approximately 15.06 million Peace dollars in 1922, providing the production volume necessary for extensive die consumption and the resultant variety documentation. The retained die break left of 1 indicates the die steel has fractured near the date area but the broken fragment remains attached, creating a raised, slightly displaced mass on struck coins adjacent to the first digit. The intersecting crack extending through the bottom of I in IN and reaching the rim traces a secondary fracture line that radiates from the break zone toward the die periphery, following a stress path through the die steel. The Reverse B1a classification identifies this as a B1-type reverse — distinguishing it from the more common B2 pairings seen on many 1922-D varieties — adding a die marriage diagnostic beyond the obverse break. The AO suffix places this variety deep in the alphabetical sub-variety sequence for 1922-D VAM-1 pairings, confirming over 40 documented die pairs within the normal die classification alone. Gregory Klemkosky's February 2025 discovery demonstrates the continued vitality of Peace dollar VAM research, with new die pairs still emerging from dedicated examination of this common-date issue.

External References