1922-S VAM-1H

Description

Discovered by David Close, VAM-1H of the 1922 San Francisco Mint Peace Dollar is classified as II 1 - B1a with the designation "Triple Clash Spikes Eagle's Shoulder," carrying rarity ratings of I-2 for interest and R-6 for rarity (estimated 200-1,300 known). This scarce variety documents an extraordinary triple die clash event where three separate obverse-reverse contacts without intervening planchets created triple spikes rising from the eagle's right shoulder on the reverse. Triple clashes are substantially rarer than single or double clashes because they require three distinct misfeeds to occur during the same die pair's service life, with each clash adding another spike to the shoulder area. The B1a reverse classification positions this within the VAM catalog structure, while the II 1 obverse designation indicates standard obverse die characteristics. The 1922-S Peace Dollar had a mintage of approximately 17.5 million pieces, making it a common date in the series, but the R-6 rarity rating for VAM-1H places it among the scarcer known varieties, with only an estimated 200 to 1,300 specimens surviving. David Close's discovery contributes to his extensive body of Peace Dollar clash variety research, which has significantly expanded the understanding of clash dynamics on this series. The triple clash spikes rising from the eagle's shoulder create a visually dramatic variety that experienced Peace Dollar collectors prize, as the progressive accumulation of clash damage tells the story of a die pair that experienced repeated mechanical failures yet remained in service long enough to produce all three clash events. The left spike being well separated from the other two provides a key diagnostic for attribution.

External References