1922-S VAM-1AH

Description

One of the scarcer Peace Dollar die preparation artifacts, the 1922-S VAM-1AH was discovered by David Close in 2013 and preserves concentric lathe tooling circles in the left obverse field. Designated 1AH II1 with reverse die B1a (Tooling Circles Left Obverse), rated I-3 for higher interest and R-6 for rarity (an estimated 301 to 1,000 surviving), this variety documents a step in die manufacturing rarely visible on finished coins. Lathe tooling circles form when a die blank is turned on a lathe during initial shaping — the cutting tool traces concentric arcs into the die face that are normally obliterated by subsequent hubbing and polishing. When these marks survive into the finished working die, they transfer as fine concentric raised lines on every coin struck. The R-6 rarity and I-3 interest rating reflect the variety's appeal: die preparation artifacts offer a window into early-twentieth-century manufacturing processes. The 1922-S Peace Dollar was struck at San Francisco in 90% silver at 38.1mm. Examine the left obverse field for concentric raised arcs — the signature of lathe tooling that survived die preparation.

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