1924-P VAM-1AY

Description

Larry Briggs discovered the 1924-P VAM-1AY in 2010, adding a die scratch variety to the Peace Dollar catalog for this popular Philadelphia Mint date. Formally classified as II1 - B2a under the VAM system and bearing the descriptive title "Die Scratch Behind Rays," this variety carries an impact rating of I-2 and a rarity designation of R-5, indicating an estimated surviving population of 131 to 300 pieces. The obverse, cataloged as die state II1, presents a diagonal die scratch running through the hair behind Liberty's tiara rays — a distinctive marker that likely originated from handling damage to the die during installation or maintenance. An additional die break in the hair area provides a secondary attribution point. The reverse, classified as B2a, introduces an intriguing complication: some specimens exhibit collar clash marks on the reverse, indicating that the collar — the restraining ring that forms the coin's edge — shifted during striking and left impressions on the die face. Collar clashes are considerably less common than standard obverse-to-reverse die clashes and add a secondary variety dimension to specimens that display them. Philadelphia struck 11,811,000 Peace Dollars in 1924, creating a moderate search pool. The 1924-P is one of the more accessible Peace Dollar dates in circulated grades, but confirmed VAM varieties like the 1AY command premiums proportional to their die diagnostic interest. The R-5 rarity places this variety in the moderately scarce range — obtainable with patience but not commonly encountered in dealer inventories.

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