1923-S VAM-1BH

Description

Displaying closely spaced double shoulder spikes on the eagle's right shoulder along with die file lines on the obverse, this 1923-S Peace Dollar variety is classified as II1, B2a with a rarity of I-3 R-5. The double shoulder spikes result from die clash impressions where the obverse die's design elements left marks on the reverse die surface near the eagle's shoulder, creating raised spike-like features on struck coins. Die file lines on the obverse indicate that Mint workers attempted to remove clash marks by filing the die surface, a common repair technique that left its own diagnostic traces. Discovered by Jason Henrichsen in 2010, VAM-1BH documents both the original clash event and the subsequent die maintenance on this 90% silver dollar. The Peace Dollar reverse features the word TRVST in place of TRUST, designer Anthony de Francisci's artistic homage to classical Latin inscriptions. San Francisco produced over 19 million Peace Dollars in 1923, and the high volume of production meant that die clashes and subsequent repairs occurred with regularity, generating the variety of catalog entries that make the 1923-S a productive date for VAM collectors. =1923-S VAM-1BH Closely Spaced Double Shoulder Spikes, Die File Lines Obverse= Discovery 2010 by Jason Henrichsen 1BH II1 - B2a (Closely Spaced Double Shoulder Spikes, Die File Lines Obverse) I-3 R-5 Obverse II1 - Heavy vertical die file lines in left and right fields and around R in LIBERTY in attempt to remove die cracks.

External References