1923-S VAM-1B

Description

Discovered by Terry Armstrong in June 1999, the 1923-S VAM-1B records a late-die-state Peace dollar with a significant retained die break between the tops of two rear sun rays on the reverse. Cataloged as II 1 · B2a with a die-state designation of I-2 and rarity rating of R-6, this piece represents a scarce find from the San Francisco Mint's 1923 production of over 19 million Peace dollars. The obverse die crack threads through the rays below the letters BER in LIBERTY, then opens into a wide displaced-metal break between the two rearmost ray tips — a progression suggesting heavy terminal die stress. Later die states compound the damage: a heavy die crack develops between T and Y in LIBERTY, accompanied by die file lines around those letters and extending below GOD WE, evidence of the Mint's attempt to extend die life by polishing away incipient fractures. Anthony de Francisci's high-relief Peace dollar design placed extraordinary stress on dies, and the elevated rays surrounding Liberty's head were particularly vulnerable to cracking as the die fatigued through its production run.

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