1924-P VAM-1AH2

Description

Discovered in 2010 by Jason Henrichsen and revised in 2016, the 1924-P VAM-1AH2 Peace Dollar carries the classification II1 - B2a (Pitted & Polished Obverse, Die Breaks Cheek, Die Break OF) with an impact rating of I-4 and a rarity of R-6. The obverse (II1) presents raised die breaks on the cheek behind Liberty's mouth — structural failures in the die face that produce raised irregular features on struck coins, positioned on a prominent area of the portrait where they are visually apparent without magnification. The die surface is described as pitted and polished, documenting a sequence where the die developed surface pitting (possibly from corrosion or metal fatigue) and was subsequently polished in an attempt to smooth the affected areas and extend the die's service life. The reverse (B2a) exhibits radial die cracks, including a die break at the OF — structural failures radiating outward from stress concentration points in the die. The I-4 impact rating indicates the variety's features are bold and easily identified, while the R-6 rarity places it among the scarcer Peace Dollar die states. Anthony de Francisci's Peace Dollar design features the radiant Liberty head on the obverse and the perched eagle on the reverse, struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1924 in 90% silver at 26.73 grams with a 38.1 mm diameter. The 1924-P had a mintage of approximately 11.8 million pieces. The progression from die pitting through polishing to eventual structural breaking documented in this variety tells the story of a die's declining condition and the ultimately unsuccessful efforts to maintain it in service, creating a numismatic artifact that records Mint production management decisions.

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