1923-P VAM-1AQ

Description

Cataloged as VAM-1AQ for the 1923-P Peace dollar, this variety titled "Long Spike Eagle's Shoulder" documents a die clash artifact that produces a long vertical raised spike extending upward from the eagle's right shoulder on the reverse. The classification 1AQ II 1 · B2a (Long Spike Eagle's Shoulder) with die classification I-2 and rarity rating R-5 (approximately 30-75 known) identifies this as a reverse B2a die carrying a distinctive clash-derived feature. The spike originates from the back of Liberty's neck on the obverse — when the dies clashed without a planchet between them, the obverse portrait's neck detail was impressed into the reverse die at the eagle's shoulder position, creating an incuse impression in the reverse die that transfers as a raised line on struck coins. This raised spike extends upward from the eagle's right shoulder toward the N of UNUM, tracing the path of Liberty's neck contour as mapped onto the reverse die surface through the clash event. Anthony de Francisci's Peace dollar design places the obverse portrait and reverse eagle in relative positions where the neck-to-shoulder alignment produces this characteristic vertical transfer. Philadelphia struck approximately 30.8 million Peace dollars in 1923 — the highest mintage in the entire series — yet R-5 rarity for VAM-1AQ indicates only 30-75 confirmed specimens, suggesting the clashed die saw limited service before replacement. Die clash spikes on Peace dollars are among the most visually dramatic VAM diagnostics because the raised line appears in an otherwise smooth area of the design, creating an obvious anomaly that collectors can spot even at modest magnification. Examination should focus on the eagle's right shoulder area under 10-15x magnification, looking for the vertical raised line extending toward UNUM.

External References