1923-P VAM-1BA
Error
Description
Discovered by John Vernieri in April 2007, the 1923-P VAM-1BA carries the nickname "Gouge 9" for its defining diagnostic: a vertical die gouge on the left side of the 9's upper loop on the obverse. Classified as B2a with an I-2 interest rating and R-5 rarity, this variety has an estimated population of only 13 to 30 confirmed specimens. The R-5 designation makes VAM-1BA one of the scarcer Peace Dollar varieties, despite originating from the highest-mintage date in the entire series. The die gouge is a localized defect in the working die that transferred as a raised mark on struck coins, visible under moderate magnification. The compound suffix BA places this deep within the VAM-1 sub-variety sequence, well past single-letter designations. Anthony de Francisci's design was struck in 90% silver at 26.73 grams on 38.1mm planchets. The combination of R-5 rarity on an otherwise common host date makes VAM-1BA a variety whose scarcity lies entirely in the die characteristic rather than the base coin's availability.
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