1922-S VAM-1M

Description

Discovered by Michael Ash in February 2007, the 1922-S Peace Dollar VAM-1M exhibits heavy die file lines on both the left and right sides of the eagle on the reverse (die B1a), applied to remove die clash marks from a prior collision between the obverse and reverse dies. Paired with obverse die II1 and carrying an I-2 interest level with R-5 rarity, this variety documents the Mint's repair process for clashed dies — rather than discard a die that had received clash impressions, workers filed the die surface to grind away the transferred design elements and return the die to service. The heavy file lines on both sides of the eagle indicate the clash was substantial enough to require aggressive filing, and the lines transfer to struck coins as raised parallel marks flanking the eagle design on Anthony de Francisci's reverse. Die filing is one of several maintenance techniques documented across Peace Dollar VAM varieties, alongside polishing, lapping, and recutting, and the evidence of clash removal makes VAM-1M a two-stage variety — first the clash event, then the filing repair — that reveals the economics of die management at the San Francisco Mint.

External References