1924-P VAM-1AR

Description

Discovered by Felix Gonzales (Tekkie1) on April 9, 2010, this Philadelphia Mint Peace Dollar is designated VAM-1AR under Classification 1AR II 1, B2a, with a rarity of I-3 R-5. The variety is described as Die Gouge at 24 and Eagle's Wing, Pitted Reverse. The obverse features a small, short vertical die gouge at the rim between the digits 24 in the date. The reverse carries two wide diagonal die gouges at the eagle's left wing edge, accompanied by raised dots from a rusted die in the field above the gouges, documenting both mechanical die damage and corrosion deterioration on the same die. Collectors should be aware that at least one additional die stage has been observed without the reverse gouges, indicating that these features developed during the die's production life rather than being present from the start. The R-5 rarity rating suggests between 31 and 75 surviving examples. Struck in 90% silver and 10% copper, the 1924 Philadelphia Peace Dollar features Anthony de Francisci's design with the word TRVST on the reverse. The combination of die gouge, die rust pitting, and die-stage variation on VAM-1AR provides a case study in how multiple forms of die deterioration can accumulate on a single working die during its production run.

External References