1923-D VAM-1A

Description

Discovered by David Close in December 1999, the 1923-D VAM-1A Peace Dollar is classified under the revised designation 1A with the technical notation II 1 · B2a (Die Gouge Thru S in STATES, Die Break Top of Y) carrying an impact rating of I-3 and a rarity of R-6, placing it among the scarcer die states documented for the 1923 Denver Mint issue. The obverse (II 1) presents a die crack that originates at Liberty's hair bun, runs through the middle vertical bar of the Y in LIBERTY, and continues upward through the right top of the Y where it bifurcates into two separate crack lines. On later die states, a displaced field die break develops at this junction — a progressive structural failure where the die steel fractures more extensively under continued striking pressure, causing raised displaced metal to appear on struck coins in the field area adjacent to the Y. This progression from simple crack to displaced die break documents the die's deterioration timeline and allows collectors to sequence specimens by die state. The reverse (B2a) displays a diagnostic diagonal die gouge cutting through the first S in STATES — a sharp, incised line in the die face that transfers as a raised mark on every coin struck from this die, providing a reliable and easily located attribution point. The Peace Dollar was designed by Anthony de Francisci, featuring Liberty wearing a radiate crown on the obverse and a perched eagle with olive branch on the reverse. Struck at the Denver Mint in 90% silver composition at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter and reeded edge, the 1923-D had a mintage of approximately 6.8 million pieces. The R-6 rarity designation indicates an estimated survival population of 13 to 30 known examples, making confirmed specimens genuinely scarce within the VAM collecting community.

External References