1924-P VAM-1AV

Description

Discovered in 2010, VAM-1AV documents a short vertical die gouge passing through the middle of the letter N in IN on the obverse of the 1924 Philadelphia Peace dollar. Cataloged as II1 - B2a with rarity R-5 (an estimated 30 to 75 surviving pieces) and interest level I-2, this die gouge variety targets one of the smaller inscription elements on the obverse — the two-letter word IN that begins the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. Philadelphia struck 11.8 million Peace dollars in 1924, a moderate mintage that placed it comfortably between the prolific early 1920s dates and the scarcer later issues. Anthony de Francisci's obverse positions the IN GOD WE TRUST motto in the left obverse field above Liberty's radiant crown, where the letters are rendered in relatively small relief compared to the prominent LIBERTY inscription. The short vertical orientation of the gouge through N's middle vertical stroke creates a distinctive interruption in the letter that collectors can detect under moderate magnification. VAM-1AV sits within the VAM-1 die family for 1924-P, sharing the primary die marriage designation with the standard VAM-1 but distinguished by this specific die gouge as a secondary diagnostic. The reduced-relief Peace dollar design, standardized since 1922, provided improved die life that kept individual dies in service longer — increasing the probability that die anomalies like gouges would produce meaningful populations of identifiable variety coins before the die was retired.

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