1922-P VAM-1T

Description

Discovered in 2011, the 1922-P Peace Dollar VAM-1T documents a long horizontal die break extending from the right end of Liberty's top hair strand into the surrounding rays. Under the Van Allen–Mallis classification, this variety is designated 1T II1 – B2a, pairing obverse die II in its first state with reverse die B2a. The die break is notably longer than the similar fracture on VAM-2U2, making direct comparison a useful attribution tool. Die breaks of this nature occur when stress fractures propagate through the hardened steel of the working die, creating raised irregular lines on the struck coin where metal flows into the recessed crack. With an interest level of I-2 and a rarity rating of R-6 — placing the known population at just 13 to 30 specimens — VAM-1T is among the scarcer 1922 Philadelphia varieties despite the enormous parent mintage. De Francisci's obverse portrays Liberty in her radiant crown, and the break runs outward from the topmost hair strand into the corona of rays framing her profile. Careful inspection under magnification along the top of Liberty's hair reveals the characteristic raised line.

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