1923-S VAM-1AJ

Description

Originally discovered by Eric Justice in July 2006 and revised in 2017, this San Francisco Mint 1923 Peace Dollar is classified as VAM-1AJ with obverse die II 1 and reverse die B2a, described as Die File Lines Obverse, Beveled Hair Front, carrying rarity ratings of I-2 R-5. The obverse II 1 shows heavy die file lines around WE, the date, and the upper right field, evidence of deliberate die maintenance where Mint personnel filed the surface to remove existing die cracks. A die crack through the rear hair strands, similar to but positioned slightly more left than the crack on VAM-1AA, persisted despite filing efforts. A polished beveled area at the hair front documents another form of die surface modification. These multiple signs of reconditioning reveal a die the Mint attempted to extend beyond normal service life rather than replace. The relationship to VAM-1AA through the similar rear hair crack suggests these varieties may share the same obverse at different stages, with die file lines on VAM-1AJ representing a maintenance intervention distinguishing this state from the unmodified crack on VAM-1AA.

External References