1922-S VAM-1AL
Error
Description
Discovered by David Close in 2014, the 1922-S VAM-1AL documents a Peace Dollar obverse die bearing vertical die file lines on the right field and at R in LIBERTY. Classified as II1 with reverse die B1a, rated I-2 and R-5 (31 to 75 known), this variety preserves direct evidence of Mint craftsmanship: the file lines were intentionally applied to remove an existing die crack. When a die developed a crack that had not yet progressed to requiring retirement, Mint personnel sometimes filed the surface to extend its service life by smoothing over the fracture. The resulting file lines — parallel raised ridges on struck coins — record this repair attempt. Vertical lines on the right field and at R indicate the crack ran through that area, and filing was concentrated where the fracture was most prominent. De Francisci's Peace Dollar was in its first full year of normal-relief production at San Francisco, struck in 90% silver at 38.1mm with the S mintmark on the reverse. With 31 to 75 known specimens, examine the right obverse field and R for the parallel raised lines documenting the repair.
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