1924-S VAM-1A

Description

Heavy die file lines across the reverse fields tell the story of a Mint repair attempt on this 1924-S Peace Dollar — evidence that a die worker physically filed the die surface to remove clash marks from a previous unprotected die contact. Discovered by David Close and cataloged as VAM-1A with classification II 1 and reverse die B2a, this R-5 variety (estimated 1-30 known) carries interest level I-2. Die file lines are among the most revealing die varieties because they document active human intervention in the coining process: after obverse and reverse dies clashed without a planchet, leaving ghost impressions of each other's design, a Mint employee attempted to restore the die by filing away the transferred images. The heavy file lines visible in the reverse fields are the tool marks from this repair, preserved on every coin subsequently struck from the die. While the filing removed much of the clash evidence, the linear scratches from the file itself became a permanent feature. San Francisco Peace Dollars from 1924 had a mintage of approximately 1.7 million pieces, modest by series standards, and this documented die repair variety survives in very small numbers. Struck in 90% silver at 38.1mm with de Francisci's designs. Examine the reverse fields for the heavy parallel file marks — tangible evidence of 1920s-era die maintenance at the San Francisco Mint.

External References