1925-S VAM-1F

Description

Cataloged as VAM-1F for the 1925-S Peace dollar, this variety documents a diagonal shallow die gouge running from the lower left of the D in DOLLAR downward to the tip of the top left olive leaf on Anthony de Francisci's reverse. The full entry reads 1F II 1 - B2a (Die Gouge Below D) with die classification I-2 and rarity rating R-5 (approximately 30-75 known). The gouge's trajectory — starting at the lower portion of the letter D and descending diagonally to reach the olive leaf tip — traces a path through the reverse field area between the denomination inscription and the wreath, covering a distance that suggests a single deliberate or accidental scraping motion across the die surface. San Francisco produced approximately 1.61 million Peace dollars in 1925, one of the lowest mintages in the entire series and a date that commands significant premiums in all grades independent of variety status. The scarcity of the base date amplifies collector interest in any attributed variety, as the small surviving population limits the number of potential VAM-1F specimens available for discovery. Die gouges of this character — shallow and diagonal — typically result from tool contact during die finishing or from foreign material dragged across the die surface, and the specific trajectory from D to the olive leaf provides a repeatable diagnostic path that distinguishes this variety from other 1925-S sub-varieties. The Obverse II 1 classification pairs with the B2a reverse, establishing the die marriage framework within which the gouge serves as the distinguishing characteristic. Collectors should examine the area below and to the left of the D in DOLLAR under 15-20x magnification, tracing the diagonal raised line downward until it reaches the tip of the uppermost olive leaf on the left side of the wreath.

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