1922 (S) Peace Dollar - VAM-2A

Description

Discovered by Bill Van Note in December 1999, the 1922-S Peace Dollar VAM-2A features a spiked tail feather — a diagonal die gouge at the tip of the eagle's tail feathers on the reverse, creating a spike-like protrusion that extends the feathers beyond their intended design boundary. Anthony de Francisci's reverse depicts a bald eagle perched on a rock inscribed PEACE, with the bird's tail feathers fanning downward, and this die gouge adds an anomalous linear extension to the tail's terminus. Classified as die pair II1-B2a with an interest rating of I-3 (higher than average collector appeal) and rarity R-6 (estimated 13 to 30 specimens known), this is among the scarcer Peace Dollar VAM varieties documented for the 1922-S. The elevated interest rating reflects the variety's visual distinctiveness — a spiked tail feather is immediately engaging to variety collectors — while the R-6 rarity means confirmed examples are genuinely difficult to locate. The San Francisco Mint struck 17,475,000 Peace Dollars in 1922, composed of 90% silver at 26.73 grams and 38.1mm diameter. Examine the reverse under magnification at the tips of the eagle's tail feathers for the diagonal raised spike extending beyond the normal feather boundary.

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