1922 (D) Peace Dollar - VAM-1U3

Description

Discovered in 2014 by Thomas Petrosie, the 1922-D VAM-1U3 Peace Dollar is classified as II1 – B1a (Die Breaks Y & Above TRV), documenting progressive structural die failure concentrated around the motto IN GOD WE TRUST on the obverse. The obverse (II1) exhibits a die crack running from Liberty's neck through the top of the T, continuing right above the letters RSVT, with displaced field breaks at the top of T and above the letters RV. This variety represents a later die state than VAM-1U1, and the commentary notes that light breaks above TR and under Y occur prior to VAM-1U1, demonstrating a documented progression sequence where the die crack system grew progressively more severe across multiple die states — first appearing as minor cracks above TR and under Y, then expanding into the more extensive crack network documented in VAM-1U3. The variety was formerly designated VAM-1AF before being reclassified. The 1922-D Peace Dollar was struck at the Denver Mint, which produced the vast majority of 1922-dated Peace Dollars with a mintage of approximately 15.1 million pieces. Anthony de Francisci designed the Peace Dollar with its radiant Liberty head obverse and eagle-on-rock reverse, struck in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The crack system's progression from Liberty's neck through the TRUST motto and into the field above documents the mechanical stress patterns within the die steel, revealing how repeated striking impacts propagated fractures along specific stress lines in the die face during high-volume production at the Denver facility.

External References