1923-D VAM-1AG

Description

Brian Raines identified this Denver Mint Peace dollar die state in September 2004, cataloging it as VAM-1AG with a die break extending from the rim at the upper right of the Y in LIBERTY. The crack passes through Y just below the letter's middle junction before reaching the rim, creating a visible retained break in an area prone to failure on Anthony de Francisci's design. In late die states, the obverse further deteriorates with a vertical polished area showing tool lines in front of Liberty's nose, lips, and below the chin — telltale evidence of die maintenance performed at the Denver facility. The 1923-D mintage of roughly 6.8 million Peace dollars was substantially lower than the Philadelphia issue, making documented die states especially valuable for researchers tracing die usage patterns. Classified as II 1 · B2a with I-2 R-6 designations, this variety sits among the scarcer VAM listings for the date, and the progressive die deterioration visible across its multiple stages offers collectors a clear window into the mechanical stresses that high-relief dollar dies endured during sustained production runs.

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